murder 1 of 2

murder

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word murder distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of murder are assassinate, dispatch, execute, kill, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When could assassinate be used to replace murder?

Although the words assassinate and murder have much in common, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When might dispatch be a better fit than murder?

The words dispatch and murder can be used in similar contexts, but dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

Where would execute be a reasonable alternative to murder?

In some situations, the words execute and murder are roughly equivalent. However, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

When would kill be a good substitute for murder?

While in some cases nearly identical to murder, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use slay instead of murder?

While the synonyms slay and murder are close in meaning, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

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 murder
Noun
The murder of these priests did not stamp out their ideas. Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025 Lawrence Strother, 66, faces a single count of first-degree murder tied to an attack that occurred on the Rosemont branch of the Blue Line aboard a train near the 5800 block of North River Road Wednesday evening, police said. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Verb
The Paris Is Burning star and trans icon was murdered in 1988, and her killer was never caught. EW.com, 24 June 2025 And then George Floyd was murdered by police officers and the country was inflamed. Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for murder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murder
Noun
  • None of this is meant to prompt nightmares of seventh grade civics class, raise doubts about one’s ability to pass a citizenship test, or question the arrangements for Friday’s barbeque.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • For centuries, folklore and popular wisdom have linked poor eating habits and indigestion to nightmares and restless sleep.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • After news of the homicides spread nationally, Johnson and Alandt left town to ensure their own safety.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2025
  • Anyone with information can contact state police’s homicide unit at 443-233-0989.
    Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been accused of corruption, misusing public funds, and threatening to assassinate former ally and current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
    Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 28 June 2025
  • Israeli intelligence also probed the possibility of assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but President Donald Trump reportedly called off a hit on the Iranian supreme leader.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • While the pull chain is much easier than trying to fumble with a tiny button, the shade occasionally catches on it when closing.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 18 June 2025
  • His team had just fumbled a win on the biggest stage, and his eyes wandered.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • There have been reports of human rights violations, including torture and forced confessions at the facility.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 24 June 2025
  • Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday lifted a lower court order that prevented the Trump administration from deporting migrants to countries that are not their places of origin without first giving them the chance to raise fears of torture, persecution or death.
    June 23, CBS News, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Also killed in the June 26, 1994 slayings: Sharon Anderson and Marie Rogers, both 25-year-old women who were guests in Sucharski’s home.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
  • The manhunt for Travis Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection with the brutal slayings of his daughters, who were found dead earlier this month, entered just over two weeks on Tuesday, June 17.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Smith, a 21-year-old junior from Germantown, Tennessee, was slain on the street outside a bar in Fort Worth’s West 7th entertainment district.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2025
  • From upscale dinners, business lunches, to fun nights with your girls at the concerts, and attending inspiring ESSENCE panels at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, these versatile outfits will easily take you from day to night, while slaying everyone in New Orleans.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • That connection and warmth was obvious on Friday night, with Cardi blowing past her bedtime to give the gays, the dolls and everyone else an experience beyond what any other NYC festival provides.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 28 June 2025
  • The sound of wind blowing and the floorboards settling is enough to prompt her to peer outside for possible hazards, hastily locking the front door after scanning the perimeter.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Murder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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