1
as in oppressive
difficult to endure
the murderous heat of the desert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
those exams were murderous
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3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
braved murderous machine-gun fire to capture the hill from the enemy
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4
as in murdering
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
Viking warriors became legendary for the murderous fury they displayed in battle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murderous
This despite its violent, heroic left-leaning revolutionaries and a cabal of right-wing racists with unapologetically murderous intentions.
—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 June 2026
Except… there’s no indication Martin is repenting for his murderous vigilante rampage.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
How dare the film depict God as female, and as murderous?
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Paula is on a path by the end of the second episode where there is a murderous person following her who has some abstract clues.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 June 2026
Except… there’s no indication Martin is repenting for his murderous vigilante rampage.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
How dare the film depict God as female, and as murderous?
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Paula is on a path by the end of the second episode where there is a murderous person following her who has some abstract clues.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
Adjective
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Dealing with extreme heat in India, where oppressive temperatures have become a matter of routine in recent years, revealed another disconnect.
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The Shah was so corrupt and oppressive that the 1979 revolution was almost inevitable.
Adjective
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Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.
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The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.
Adjective
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Haiti later won a true goal thanks to a lethal shot from Isidor.
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Now 34 years later, Florida is set to execute Spencer by lethal injection on Thursday, June 25.
Adjective
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His father, Manuel Cepeda, was a prominent figure in the Colombian Communist Party, and was assassinated in 1994 during a particularly bloody era in Colombia's internal conflict.
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Even more lore is on the way when House of the Dragon returns for season 3 on June 21 following season 2's bloody end.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.
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Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said that fighting the fire had been extremely challenging.
Adjective
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At the same time, vaccination rates have declined, worrying experts that more people could become vulnerable to this potentially deadly but preventable infection.
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The suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of 22-year-old Nasir Majied on Friday, June 5.
Adjective
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The New York Mets are in disarray thanks to a brutal start to what was supposed to be a promising season.
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In 1972, a year after a brutal conflict—one in which India helped with the rebirth of the eastern wing of Pakistan as Bangladesh—New Delhi and Islamabad concluded an agreement that resumed limited trade.
Cite this Entry
“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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