slaying 1 of 2

noun

ˈslā-iŋ How to pronounce slaying (audio)
Definition of slayingnext
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

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slaying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of slay
1
as in killing
to deprive of life millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murdering
to put to death deliberately vowed to slay without mercy whoever was responsible for murdering his family

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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 slaying
Noun
During the trial, prosecutors said Kosowski was obsessed with Cozzi — and his fixation drove him to plot the slaying. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 In 2023, Gellar brought her monster-slaying skills back to the small screen on the Paramount+ original series Wolf Pack, which was canceled after one season. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
Symbolism Historically, dragon-slaying stories portrayed the treasure hoard as the ultimate test of a hero’s character. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026 An Oregon man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for a November 1981 Griffith cold case slaying. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slaying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaying
  1. murder
  2. killing
  3. murdering
  4. homicide
  5. destroying
  6. assassinating
  7. executing
Noun
  • Days before the mistrial, prosecutors dismissed first-degree murder charges against the two men after jurors deadlocked a first time.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Armour invoked the murder of Emmett Till while connecting the controversy to America’s history of White women portraying Black people as threats.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • California’s plan to save coastal homes from El Niño could end up killing beaches.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Attorneys for the men argued Harris fired the first shots, killing Turner and setting off the gun battle.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of killing
Verb
  • Caleb Flynn, the former American Idol contestant who was found guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The former American Idol contestant and church worship leader convicted of murdering his wife and staging the scene to look like a burglary was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Monday.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of murdering
Noun
  • Prison authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide, and the Office of the Inspector General has been notified, according to CDCR.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Traffic homicide investigators are responding at the scene and will continue to gather information throughout the day.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Sign up for the newsletter When the rain does fall, Kabul’s hard, impermeable surfaces mean the water doesn’t replenish aquifers, but instead sweeps through the city as flash floods, destroying homes, killing people and rolling away.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Space debris is generated not only by kinetic space weapons but also when satellites collide and get smashed into countless fragments and smaller particles that travel at high velocity and are capable of destroying or damaging more spacecraft.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial after a Utah judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move forward on all seven charges against him.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of assassinating
Verb
  • Tykun’s own Bendetta Iovane developed the original concept, with yacht designer Tommaso Spadolini executing the design and naval architect Carlo Bertorello responsible for the hull and structural engineering.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Their playoff success breeds confidence in a group with a penchant for executing in the biggest moments while their opponents have not.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of executing

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaying. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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