SLAYING Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

slaying 1 of 2

noun

ˈslā-iŋ

Definition of slaying

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

as in killing

to deprive of life millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Authorities did not have a motive at the time of the slaying. — Christina Hall, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors accused him of being the mastermind of the slaying and having ordered and paid for it. — Kevin Schembri Orland, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 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

Noun

David Kingsley was convicted of murder and manslaughter, while five other guards pleaded guilty to manslaughter for Brooks’ death.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
One youth has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Wednesday afternoon shooting near Raytown High School.

— Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of murder

Verb

The confrontation began Friday after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a mosque, and gunmen stormed the facility, killing 21 people and wounding 103 others.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
The capital city is known for its tight air traffic and was the site of the deadliest crash in the United States in years in January 2025, when two aircraft collided over the Potomac River, killing all 67 people on board.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of killing

Verb

Her name was Jessie King, and she was found guilty of murdering three children in 1889.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
In the 1980s and early 1990s, statistically rare instances of strangers abducting white children from public spaces and murdering them became highly publicized.

— Daniel LaChance, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of murdering

Noun

Pembroke Pines officers asked the sheriff’s office to handle the homicide investigation — John retired from the Pembroke Pines Police Department following nearly 28 years of service and his on-duty motorcycle crash.

— Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
The Harris County Medical Examiner's office determined her death was a homicide resulting from neck compression.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of homicide

Verb

Fox attorneys also accused executives at both Dominion and Smartmatic of destroying evidence in their respective cases, and sought sanctions.

— Maddy Lauria, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
Because both sides can persistently generate concentrated effects without concentrating forces, destroying the enemy’s ability to keep fighting becomes harder.

— NADIA SCHADLOW, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 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

Chicago made it to the postseason with Ben Johnson calling the plays and Caleb Williams executing them last season.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
More than 30 guns, including numerous pistols, rifles and shotguns, a crossbow, tactical gear, ammunition and electronics, were found by authorities while executing three search warrants at residences associated with the attackers.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of executing

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slayers

slaying

slayings

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Style

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaying. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slaying

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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