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

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

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
The slaying comes on the heels of a violent week in Brooklyn. — Barry Paddock, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026 The explosion targeting Ranucci occurred on the eighth anniversary of the car bomb slaying of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who wrote extensively about suspected corruption in political and business circles. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 In that case, authorities believe the mother was responsible for slaying the family and then killing herself. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
  • Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Hatami has spearheaded a number of high-profile cases against child abusers in Los Angeles, California, including the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, who was tortured and killed by his mother and her boyfriend.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of murder
Verb
  • The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On the last day of February, the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and attacking targets across the country.
    — Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of killing
Verb
  • Closing arguments took place in the Lindsay Clancy case Thursday, bringing an end to a weekslong trial in which jurors will now determine whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for murdering her three young children.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Earlier this year, two Blythe Street members were convicted of murdering a senior member of their gang whom Romo had deemed a liability.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of murdering
Noun
  • The Milwaukee Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy, and said Hernandez-Lopez’s cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the neck and the manner of death was homicide, according to the complaint.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone with information, video, or photos that could help investigators were asked to contact the police department's homicide unit at 3150-238-3821.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of homicide
Verb
  • Pumping at high speeds creates a suction vortex (upconing) that violently draws heavy sludge into the production stream, fouling piping and destroying surface pumps.
    — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The tornado wreaked havoc in the village of 1,000 inhabitants, reducing homes to rubble and destroying numerous cars.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroying
Verb
  • Utah prosecutors are turning up the heat on Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, arguing that the evidence against him easily meets the standard required to send the case to trial.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 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
  • Ternus’s expertise in executing on Apple’s product roadmap and maintaining the company’s high engineering standards signals a commitment to a central pillar of the Apple brand, even as the company seeks to evolve with the times.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • In early 2026, satellite images revealed Akinci drones deployed in southern Egypt for executing strikes against the Rapid Support Forces fighting in the bloody civil war in neighboring Sudan.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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