murder 1 of 2

murder

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word murder distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of murder are assassinate, dispatch, execute, kill, and slay. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

When could assassinate be used to replace murder?

Although the words assassinate and murder have much in common, assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

When might dispatch be a better fit than murder?

The words dispatch and murder can be used in similar contexts, but dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

Where would execute be a reasonable alternative to murder?

In some situations, the words execute and murder are roughly equivalent. However, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

When would kill be a good substitute for murder?

While in some cases nearly identical to murder, kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use slay instead of murder?

While the synonyms slay and murder are close in meaning, slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

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 murder
Noun
Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed Floyd, is serving two sentences of more than 20 years in prison for a federal charge of depriving Floyd of his civil rights, and state charges of unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 25 May 2025 His conviction for the rape and murder of a child employee, 13-year-old Mary Phagan in 1913, is widely considered unjust, largely attributed to a biased trial and antisemitism. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
Verb
When Ku Klux Klan members murdered James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, America saw two Jews and one Black man die together for the right to vote. Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025 Police believe Montgomery murdered his daughter shortly after her disappearance, and then spent months moving her corpse around before eventually disposing of her remains. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for murder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murder
Noun
  • Saving him and others is their work Pratt & Whitney union votes to approve new contract, end strike Private equity created a ‘nightmare’ in CT hospitals, staff say.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025
  • Watching the men who trusted him to lead them home devoured by monsters or crushed by clashing rocks was not a fairytale, but a nightmare.
    Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Floyd’s death, which was ruled a homicide, sparked widespread backlash after a video went viral of then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on May 25, 2020.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 25 May 2025
  • In late March, one repeat offender who was racing along killed a mother and her two young daughters, in a tragedy that should hold the city’s attention every bit as much as a shove onto the subway tracks or a gun homicide.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Milk was assassinated in 1978 by a former colleague on the board.
    Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 23 May 2025
  • The day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, a little over four years earlier in 1963, Hartford Public Schools held a half-day so students could grieve.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Massey ranged to his left, lost his footing and fumbled the ball.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
  • Gutierrez found the jury was confused by antitrust law elements and fumbled a calculation for damages by mistaking an overcharge with a discount.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Police allegedly recovered a gun and several torture devices, police sources told WNBC and WABC.
    KC Baker, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The key topics in underground cinema — taboo relationships, homosexuality, prostitution, executions, torture, and political protests — are themes that have long been present in Persian rap.
    Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • California Serial cat killer suspect arrested, potentially linked to a dozen-plus slayings, authorities say April 23, 2025 Authorities allege that Acosta was also seen by a neighbor grabbing a cat and slamming it over his head April 3.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • Citywide, murders are down 26%, with 104 slayings so far this year compared to 140 by this time last year.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog said early Thursday morning that the country remains united with the families of slain embassy staffers in Washington.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 22 May 2025
  • Russo, a 24-year FDNY veteran, had been expecting to retire in a few months when she was slain.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Julia snuck some matchstick carrots into the potato mixture, then blew my socks off with a punchy, springy topping of feta, mint, dill, and chives.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • The weather can play a role too; rain can wash pollen from the air, while a windy day can blow it around, increasing your allergy symptoms.2 How Can You Prevent Allergy Symptoms?
    Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Murder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murder. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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