1
: the act of one that kills
2
3
: a sudden notable gain or profit
made a killing in the stock market
1
: that kills or relates to killing
2
: highly amusing
3
: extremely difficult to deal with
the suspense is killing
also
: calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
a killing schedule
Synonyms
Examples of killing in a Sentence
Noun
The oil spill is responsible for the killing of thousands of birds.
Adjective
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Recent Examples on the Web
Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024
Anderson, 33, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and mutilation of a corpse in the killing earlier this month of Sade Carleena Robinson.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
After the killing, 50 more were formed, said Cameron McEllhiney, the organization’s executive director.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The sheriff's office says that threat soon spiraled into the confession of Rasberry's killing.
—USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The Sacramento Police Department had been looking for a homicide suspect since gunfire broke out in the 6100 block of Ventura Street on March 3 after the killing Rama Alsaraj, 34, at a home’s backyard in the Brentwood neighborhood, not far from Sacramento Executive Airport.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
Two months later, he was indicted on the charge of second-degree murder in Kathie’s killing.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
Rahmani is referencing the claim by prosecutors that in the days prior to the killings, Kohberger's cell phone repeatedly pinged near the murder home.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
In a nationwide poll conducted in February — two years into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and around the time of Navalny’s killing — the agency found that 86% of respondents supported Putin, while only 11% disapproved of his rule.
—Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020
The killing spree began in the cottage community of Portapique where Mr. Wortman owned several properties.
—New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
In 2014, his daughter, Alex, was at the University of California, Santa Barbara when a gunman on a killing spree fatally shot three women outside her sorority house.
—James Barragán, Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2020
Keenan was the New York Police Department’s Chief of Detectives during the killing spree, which terrified the city in 1976 and 1977 as an unknown gunman stalked his victims with a .44 caliber handgun, killing six and wounding seven others.
—Michael R. Sisak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2019
Police reports, witness statements and dispatch logs shared earlier have provided more detail about the confusion and heroism as the concert venue became a killing field.
—Ken Ritter, Fox News, 13 June 2018
Noun
The cash had been agreed upon as half of the total payment to the agent, who Russell told to make her ex-husband's killing look like a suicide.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024
Anderson, 33, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and mutilation of a corpse in the killing earlier this month of Sade Carleena Robinson.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 22 Apr. 2024
After the killing, 50 more were formed, said Cameron McEllhiney, the organization’s executive director.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024
The sheriff's office says that threat soon spiraled into the confession of Rasberry's killing.
—USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
The Sacramento Police Department had been looking for a homicide suspect since gunfire broke out in the 6100 block of Ventura Street on March 3 after the killing Rama Alsaraj, 34, at a home’s backyard in the Brentwood neighborhood, not far from Sacramento Executive Airport.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
Two months later, he was indicted on the charge of second-degree murder in Kathie’s killing.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
Rahmani is referencing the claim by prosecutors that in the days prior to the killings, Kohberger's cell phone repeatedly pinged near the murder home.
—Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
In a nationwide poll conducted in February — two years into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and around the time of Navalny’s killing — the agency found that 86% of respondents supported Putin, while only 11% disapproved of his rule.
—Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The anti-trapping, anti-killing anything movement has also taken a toll.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2020
The killing spree began in the cottage community of Portapique where Mr. Wortman owned several properties.
—New York Times, 20 Apr. 2020
The problem at hand is the novel coronavirus, and U.S. sanctions are aiding its killing spree in Iran.
—Bonnie Kristian, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2020
In 2014, his daughter, Alex, was at the University of California, Santa Barbara when a gunman on a killing spree fatally shot three women outside her sorority house.
—James Barragán, Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2020
Keenan was the New York Police Department’s Chief of Detectives during the killing spree, which terrified the city in 1976 and 1977 as an unknown gunman stalked his victims with a .44 caliber handgun, killing six and wounding seven others.
—Michael R. Sisak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2019
Police reports, witness statements and dispatch logs shared earlier have provided more detail about the confusion and heroism as the concert venue became a killing field.
—Ken Ritter, Fox News, 13 June 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near killing
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killing. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share