murder 1 of 2

murder

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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
Brown has been charged with first-degree murder. Adeola Adeosun robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025 Imagine Selling Sunset but with a murder mystery plot. Peter White, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Donna is the fifth person convicted of conspiring to murder Markel, 41, who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute over his two sons with Donna’s daughter, Wendi Adelson. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Instead of acting all tough, Odenkirk channels the reluctant hero, who’d really rather not murder his new neighbors. Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for murder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murder
Noun
  • Instead, the interview was a PR nightmare that forced Andrew to step back from his public royal duties.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
  • At 6 feet and blessed with great athletic ability, Moore was a matchup nightmare.
    Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson’s dishonesty doesn’t even take into consideration the carnage from the homicides of yesteryear in the Windy City.
    Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He was convicted in October 2022 on six counts first-degree intentional homicide, 61 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, six counts of hit and run involving death and two counts of bail jumping, all felonies, plus one count of misdemeanor battery.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There was huge outrage and debate at the time around the idea that the American president could assassinate an American citizen extrajudicially, in violation of his Constitutional rights.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The series follows Agent 47, a contract killer who travels to different destinations across the world to assassinate targets.
    George Yang, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • San Francisco’s star defensive end tackled running back Ken Walker III for no gain on first-and-5 from the 9-yard line, then pushed right tackle Abe Lucas back in the pocket on second down, causing Darnold to fumble.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Defensive tackle Ed Oliver also caused Derrick Henry to fumble – the running back’s only blemish during the night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Afghan, who asked to remain anonymous, has lived for months at a time without leaving his home, fearful of retribution, and torture, from the Taliban.
    Chris Boccia, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Turpins ultimately ended up entering a guilty plea to 14 felony counts, including charges of cruelty, torture and false imprisonment.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dexter rushes Harrison out of the Prater compound and proceeds to prep Prater for his slaying.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
  • One of them recorded the slaying on video, according to the local sheriff – a brutal and confusing fact for Lindsey.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ashlee Simpson slayed in an all-black look featuring a cutout top and frayed asymmetrical hem.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Through tears, the father of slain Nasir Delaney-Rowland shared a statement in court that his son was one of a kind.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Cleveland Browns blew both a golden opportunity at what would’ve been the surprise upset of Week 1 and a chance to add to the Cincinnati Bengals’ early-season misery of the past few years.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Murder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on murder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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