slayings

noun

plural of slaying
as in murders
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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slayings
  1. murders
  2. homicides
  3. killings
Noun
  • Prosecutors say Clancy planned the murders before faking a suicide attempt.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence recovered from Evonitz’s apartment, former residences and vehicle linked him to the abductions and murders of three girls from Spotsylvania County, Virginia — Sofia Silva, 16; Kristin Lisk, 15; and her sister, Kati Lisk, 12.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of murders
Noun
  • He was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances relating to multiple homicides, allowing the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office to seek a sentence of life without parole upon conviction.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • DeKalb County Police say crimes against people are down 13 percent, with a three percent decrease in homicides.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of homicides
Noun
  • The Johnson County District Court sentenced Robinson to death for the killings of two women and to life in prison in Kansas for the killing of a third.
    — Alexa Newsom, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • Myung Jin Kim, 31, was wanted in connection with two killings, including a botched murder-for-hire plot in San Jose in 2016 and the killing of Kim’s friend in the parking lot of a CVS in Westminster two years later.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Definition of killings
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Slayings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slayings. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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