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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murderous
After a first murderous high, Green spends the rest of the film chasing that euphoria through a recognizable 20th century America braced for inevitable collapse.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
After spending nearly a decade in the dark world of Gilead as star of The Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss is onto some lighter — though still murderous — fare.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
So why shouldn’t Trump exploit that fragility to land a death blow against a murderous adversary?
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
However, there will be a day soon that the Iranian people will be in charge of their own fate, not the murderous ayatollah’s regime.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
After spending nearly a decade in the dark world of Gilead as star of The Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss is onto some lighter — though still murderous — fare.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
So why shouldn’t Trump exploit that fragility to land a death blow against a murderous adversary?
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
However, there will be a day soon that the Iranian people will be in charge of their own fate, not the murderous ayatollah’s regime.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
Adjective
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The music was sufficiently groovy, the costumes era-appropriate (miniskirts, Travolta-tight slacks), yet nothing conjured the tension of an oppressive August day—and nobody broke a sweat.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
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Many observers, including Iranians in the diaspora, hoped for the collapse of the oppressive Islamic Republic of Iran and a decisive end to its nuclear program and military reach.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There were also high-arcing 3-pointers that touched nothing but the net, a difficult runner through contact that went in, and the kind of gravity that gave Kristaps Porzingis a layup just by cutting into space while the big man dove.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Some things in life are difficult.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The planned execution of Thomas Creech in 2024 could not be carried out because a suitable vein could not be found to administer lethal drugs.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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The punishment stipulated under the new law is death by hanging, after the Israeli Medical Association's ethics board said last year that its members would be prohibited from administering lethal injections, according to Israeli media.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His team, which includes his advisor Atsushi Shirane and Masaya Miyahara of Japan’s High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), is aiming to develop a wireless system for controlling robots in this harsh environment.—
Katherine Bourzac,
IEEE Spectrum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Items that are wind-resistant and waterproof will be good for use in many harsh weather conditions in which the user would need protection.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Orkin bed bug control Bed bug treatment is challenging, but something that Orkin excels at.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Turning your attention inward can feel challenging.—
J. David Creswell,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These rules had been tightened since 2020, when relations soured following a deadly border skirmish in the Galwan Valley, where several Indian and Chinese soldiers died.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
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Simple precautions — avoiding unattended charging, unplugging when full, and keeping larger devices away from exits — can prevent deadly battery fires.—
Fedor Zarkhin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Buford, who died March 26 at 104 of old age, had a philosophy forged in part by his service in one of World War II’s most memorable and bloody campaigns, the Battle of the Bulge.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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During those five to seven days, stomachaches, bloody diarrhea and vomiting are common.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Others have a broiler drawer that reaches very high temperatures for searing or toasting.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
2 Apr. 2026
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While states may be the last line of defense for consumers against unscrupulous personal lines insurers, the development is a searing indictment on the industry as a whole.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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