Definition of murderernext
as in assassin
a person who kills another person the murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 murderer Her most recent character may be an axe-murderer, but Ella Beatty is more Miss Congeniality than miscreant. — Danielle McNally, InStyle, 19 Oct. 2026 Here, however, the show pulls a fast one, revealing that the murderer isn’t Pam, but instead a young girl named Grace (Gwendolyn Sundstrom). — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Benjamin Rush, the Philadelphia physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence, opposed executing even murderers. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Showing mercy to murderers historically has not been popular with voters. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murderer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderer
Noun
  • The explosion killed him and fourteen others in his vicinity, as well as the assassin, and injured another forty-three.
    — Sonia Gandhi, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Martin McDonagh’s latest comedy drama casts Malkovich as Chris Carlisle, a dying CIA assassin who in 1973 is visiting Chile’s Easter Island with a protégé, played by Sam Rockwell, who just may kill his mentor before their getaway is over.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 10 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • There was an emotional embrace between Javits's father and students at the school who spoke about their late friend, and gave a message to his killers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The findings officially linked the two murders, confirming there was a serial killer active in Washington County at the time, Petrosky said.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Murderer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderer. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!