1
as in oppressive
difficult to endure
the murderous heat of the desert
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
those exams were murderous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Since the disappearance some weeks prior of his best friend, Dr. Watson, and his housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock’s been forbidden from crime-solving by shadowy but definitely murderous forces, who make their presence known to him by way of scarlet threads planted at crime scenes.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
There has never been an objection to describing this highly brutal, murderous conduct in words, nor did anyone object to this office when such crime scene images were recently shown on a Netflix documentary.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
The White Lotus star has expressed interest in suiting up to play murderous investment banker Patrick Bateman in the new film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' best-selling satirical horror novel American Psycho.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 May 2025
That lady is really the aforementioned murderous hag (Meredith Binder), her false veneer of youthful beauty reinforced by a magic mirror’s flattering (if also caustic) topless female spirits, and sustained via grisly methods seemingly inspired by Elizabeth Bathory.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
There has never been an objection to describing this highly brutal, murderous conduct in words, nor did anyone object to this office when such crime scene images were recently shown on a Netflix documentary.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
The White Lotus star has expressed interest in suiting up to play murderous investment banker Patrick Bateman in the new film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' best-selling satirical horror novel American Psycho.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 May 2025
That lady is really the aforementioned murderous hag (Meredith Binder), her false veneer of youthful beauty reinforced by a magic mirror’s flattering (if also caustic) topless female spirits, and sustained via grisly methods seemingly inspired by Elizabeth Bathory.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
Adjective
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That this sincere notion dovetails with an itch to vacate her dour, oppressive home only adds to her determination.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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To be sure, Florida had its attractions, one of which was the sunny weather, although air conditioning was still rare at the time, and the heat and humidity could be oppressive for much of the year.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Two of Elissa’s tumors were obliterated that day, but the third was too difficult to reach without repositioning Elissa’s body in a way that would have taken too much time under anesthesia.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Luca Solca sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein Clouding the picture further, many other premium Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, are privately owned, making their performance difficult to decipher.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Oscar Franklin Smith is set to be executed by lethal injection for the 1989 murder of his estranged wife, 35-year-old Judith Robirds Smith, and her sons.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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The last electrocution was in 1990, the method has been lethal injection since that time.—
Ray Hanley,
Arkansas Online,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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From adorable accents to cozy touches, drivers are increasingly looking for ways to make their commutes and grocery runs just a bit more enjoyable—perhaps to offset the harsh reality of gas prices (and everything else).—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
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Avoid harsh products: Soaps, lotions, and products with fragrance, alcohol, or dyes can dry out the skin and worsen atopic dermatitis.—
Health,
Health,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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In this one-man show, Whitfield steps onstage not just as a performer, but as a guide—challenging, inspiring, and activating the ABFF community to transform their pain into purpose.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
22 May 2025
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The new bill, advocates said, is also expected to be particularly challenging for Native Americans who rely on tribal cards for identification ‒ which typically don't include place of birth, as the new law requires.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Russia is making steady gains in Ukraine, and Putin is preparing a summer offensive that could be the deadliest of the war so far, an expert has assessed.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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Drone video shows tornadoes' damage in Kentucky morning after deadly storms 01:30 4.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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After watching in terror as a man violently attacked a police officer in an El Cajon fast-food restaurant, Iesha Booker checked for a pulse on the bloody, unconscious officer and yelled into the radio on his belt.—
Karen Kucher,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
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Photos of the man in a hospital bed with a bloody mouth were also posted.—
Jonece Starr Dunigan,
AL.com,
14 July 2017
Adjective
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Set in 2019 Los Angeles, Akil’s update paints a searing portrait of the issues faced by teenagers today, exploring the social media age and how, via the race-swapping of the leads, Black kids come of age in white America.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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As one more analogous reference, the need to manage hows reminds me of great literature, in particular, Viktor Frankl’s searing memoir Man’s Search For Meaning.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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