deathly

adjective

death·​ly ˈdeth-lē How to pronounce deathly (audio)
1
: fatal
2
: of, relating to, or suggestive of death
a deathly pallor
deathly adverb

Examples of deathly in a Sentence

A deathly silence filled the room. his deathly pallor suggested that any attempt to find a pulse would be futile
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For all of those thousands of collegiate Olympians past and present, the roar of the football crowd will be drowned out by the deathly silence of their shuttered programs. Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2024 Gomez has co-led the Hulu series alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short since its 2021 debut, as a band of neighbors who join forces to solve deathly mysteries unfolding around them. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 July 2024 The deathly gossip started as St. Patrick’s Day rumo(u)rs that the BBC was on standby for an announcement from the royal family and government buildings were flying flags at half-mast. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2024 While attempting to return to their present, a cryptic force emerges and traps them on a strange plot of land, giving them a deathly ultimatum in order to escape. Caroline Brew, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 The chill of her announcement is accentuated by Muhly’s orchestration, in which bass clarinet, contrabassoon, harp, and cello perform a deathly turn from E major to G minor. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023 Then we were warned that the friend, despite being a licensed psychiatrist, has a deathly and obsessive terror of dogs. Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Mar. 2023 There was a deathly silence at the table, Jared recalls. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2022 For one, the bees that buzzed throughout several of the episodes are seemingly a symbol of Anthony's deathly fear of following in his father's footsteps and dying young from a bee sting. Andrea Park, Marie Claire, 12 Jan. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deathly was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near deathly

Cite this Entry

“Deathly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deathly. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deathly

adjective
death·​ly ˈdeth-lē How to pronounce deathly (audio)
1
: causing death or destruction
2
: of, relating to, or suggestive of death
a deathly paleness
deathly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on deathly

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!