murderous

adjective

ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs How to pronounce murderous (audio)
Definition of murderousnext
1
as in oppressive
difficult to endure the murderous heat of the desert

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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort those exams were murderous

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3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death braved murderous machine-gun fire to capture the hill from the enemy

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4
as in murdering
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing Viking warriors became legendary for the murderous fury they displayed in battle

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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 murderous One of Monster’s most interesting narrative moves is to shift the power dynamics between Bridget and Lizzie as their murderous plans get underway. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Like other death row dramas including Clemency, Just Mercy and Dead Man Walking, this film questions whether there’s really that big a difference between murderous cruelty and state-sanctioned capital punishment. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026 The women are frequently naked, and the men are either murderous or barbaric. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Simon’s Slaughterhouse — Step inside a meat processing plant that has been taken over by Simon the Butcher and his murderous crew. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
  1. oppressive
  2. difficult
  3. lethal
  4. bloody
  5. harsh
  6. challenging
  7. deadly
  8. brutal
Adjective
  • The combination was as oppressive as the thermometer reading.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.
    — CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • As the most lethal and airborne variant of the infection, pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal unless specific antibiotics are given quickly.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Graham had four pressures as a blitzer and has looked absolutely lethal in that role.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of lethal
Adjective
  • For Sunday brunch, offerings consist of chicken and waffles drizzled with maple syrup, mini frittatas, and bottomless bloody marys and mimosas.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Douglas was instead locked in a power struggle with director Verhoeven, who, during one particularly heated argument with the actor, suffered a burst artery in his nose, turning the confrontation into a bloody scene.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of bloody
Adjective
  • The European Commission has set an October deadline for progress in the negotiations, as France and Germany push for harsher measures.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dehydrated skin is typically caused by dry air, harsh skin care, or the weather.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Alas, its path appears quite challenging, given that Digger earned a C+ CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Responsible for the devastating Black Death pandemic of 1346 to 1353, this deadly bacterium claimed between 25 and 50 million lives in Europe alone.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • What knocks him for a deadly loop is a powdered, pampered piece of work called Mildred (Elizabeth Teeter).
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of deadly
Adjective
  • Thirty-two years after Brown Simpson's brutal killing, her sister continues to alert people to the dangers of intimate partner violence.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Trojans face Washington at the Coliseum before a brutal stretch that includes Penn State, Indiana and Ohio State, with their playoff hopes at stake.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of brutal

Browse Nearby Words

murdering
murderous
murderousness
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Cite this Entry

“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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