MURDEROUS Synonyms: 298 Similar and Opposite Words

murderous

adjective

ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs

Definition of murderous

as in oppressive

difficult to endure the murderous heat of the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort those exams were murderous

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 murderous One of Monster’s most interesting narrative moves is to shift the power dynamics between Bridget and Lizzie as their murderous plans get underway. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Like other death row dramas including Clemency, Just Mercy and Dead Man Walking, this film questions whether there’s really that big a difference between murderous cruelty and state-sanctioned capital punishment. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 The women are frequently naked, and the men are either murderous or barbaric. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Simon’s Slaughterhouse — Step inside a meat processing plant that has been taken over by Simon the Butcher and his murderous crew. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murderous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous

Adjective

The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of oppressive

Adjective

Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

As the most lethal and airborne variant of the infection, pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal unless specific antibiotics are given quickly.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Graham had four pressures as a blitzer and has looked absolutely lethal in that role.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of lethal

Adjective

For Sunday brunch, offerings consist of chicken and waffles drizzled with maple syrup, mini frittatas, and bottomless bloody marys and mimosas.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Douglas was instead locked in a power struggle with director Verhoeven, who, during one particularly heated argument with the actor, suffered a burst artery in his nose, turning the confrontation into a bloody scene.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of bloody

Adjective

Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay's interest in human rights and the law.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay’s interest in human rights and the law.

— Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Oscar-winning DoP Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about working on challenging movies, from Dune to The Batman, Rogue One to Zero Dark Thirty.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Seven strangers from different countries and backgrounds are forced to compete in a deadly game, each facing a different mission to rescue a loved one.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
At least 84 people remained missing in one of the deadliest shipwrecks yet on the popular but perilous crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where many migrants seek work in rich Gulf nations.

— JAMEY KEATEN, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is fighting for his job security after a brutal start to the season.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity.

— R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutal

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murdering

murderous

murderousness

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Style

“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of murderous

adjective

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