1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cleanup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in destroying
to deprive of life
during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
the Senate killed the bill by a single vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deleting
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike up the mountain just about killed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in braking
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of killing
New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
The court-enforceable agreement was born out of a probe into MPD that was launched after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Adjective
The killing spree began in the cottage community of Portapique where Mr. Wortman owned several properties.
—New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
Noun
The shooting happened at a curbside memorial site for Davis, who was friends with Thomas, just one day after Davis’ killing, court records show.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
The court-enforceable agreement was born out of a probe into MPD that was launched after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for killing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killing
Adjective
-
There are enough quotable lines of dialogue in the movie’s first half to remind you why Succession was, pound for pound, one of the most profanely funny shows on TV during its run.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
-
Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The rise of one of this season’s greatest scene-stealers makes for a challenging conundrum — how far does the apple fall from the tree?—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
3 June 2025
-
Building wealth can be a challenging task, especially in challenging economic times.—
Anne-Lyse Ngatta,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The zoo said there were no major injuries to animals or staff caused by the storms, but downed trees required significant cleanup for days, the zoo said on May 18.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
-
Overnight, a hazmat team arrived to handle the spill cleanup, and the highway was fully reopened at about 11:30 a.m. on May 21, the park said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Elijah Travis Mackey, 23, was found hiding under a stairwell of a nearby motel and taken into custody, then he was charged with murder, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
26 May 2025
-
While serving his 30-year murder sentence, Hardin also pleaded guilty to the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Ark., 5 News reported.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Most importantly, the proposal provides that, when discovery items are turned over belatedly, judges can impose consequences that stop short of dismissing the whole case, if a lesser remedy can ensure fairness to the defendant.—
Jane Manning,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Just a few days later, the Israeli government effectively began the process of dismissing Gali Baharav-Miara, Israel’s attorney general.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Google Sends Non-Apology Email To Users Some Google Maps users received a March 21 email from Google which, while still not actually apologizing for deleting their data, did go some way to explain what was happening and what could be done to restore the lost timelines.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
So military service members and civilians have evaluated social media posts by hand, working late into the night and on weekends to pore over their unit's social media pages, cataloging and deleting references going back years.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And there's an 80-lux LED headlight plus braking tail-light.—
Paul Ridden,
New Atlas,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Over 300,000 Ram Heavy Duty pickup trucks have been recalled this week over a braking system defect.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killing. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share