as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in killing
to deprive of life
millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately
vowed to slay without mercy whoever was responsible for murdering his family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slaying
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The slaying struck fear in the quiet community of Adelanto, where rumors spread about a serial killer on the loose in Victor Valley, according to the Daily Press.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Three human artists, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, are the singing voices of the demon-slaying main characters.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slaying
Noun
As at the first trial, Dominguez faces charges of first-degree murder and second-degree murder in Breaux’s killing, along with a charge of second-degree murder in Najm’s slaying.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The slaying struck fear in the quiet community of Adelanto, where rumors spread about a serial killer on the loose in Victor Valley, according to the Daily Press.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
The serpent-slaying formula likely traces back to an old Indo-European myth.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Three human artists, EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna, are the singing voices of the demon-slaying main characters.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for slaying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaying
Noun
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The number of killings investigated last year fell to 67, with 57 of those categorized as murders — excluding cases such as justifiable homicides — a total not seen since 1967, according to data compiled by this news organization.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Jackson, who famously won an acquittal in the murder trial of Karen Read and represented disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, did not explain his decision to withdraw from the case.—
Matt Gutman,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump has warned against killing protesters and had repeatedly threatened to intervene if Tehran does not change course.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many did not experience concentration camps but were forced to flee villages and towns as Nazi forces advanced, destroying homes and killing millions.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Elliott is accused of murdering retired FBI agent Owen Pollard, who was a partner in VanPoll firearms disposal.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
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In 2009, 22-year-old Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted of murdering her roommate while studying abroad in Italy.—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Police confirmed a homicide investigation is underway.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Modesto Fire Department Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the fire, preventing it from destroying the home, officials said.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
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By the way, the last scene of The Conversation has the paranoid Gene Hackman destroying his apartment in a desperate and futile search for listening devices.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In Michocán in the fall, the Jalisco cartel is accused of assassinating a prominent mayor who had vowed to hold criminals accountable.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2026
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When Oswald is moments away from assassinating JFK, Jake intervenes and fatally shoots Oswald, stopping the assassination from happening.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Approximately 80% of that figure comes from consulting services, signifying that enterprises are compensating IBM to create operational AI systems, rather than merely executing pilot programs.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Agents with the Federal Bureau of Information are executing a search at a warehouse that serves as Fulton County's election hub.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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