slaying

noun

slay·​ing ˈslā-iŋ How to pronounce slaying (audio)
plural slayings
: the act of killing a person : killing, murder
used chiefly in journalistic writing
a gangland slaying
Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.Peter Stein
He is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …Joseph P. Fried

Examples of slaying in a Sentence

a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
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.
Forensic evidence recovered from the vehicle linked Prowell to the slaying, prosecutors claimed. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Mayor faces criticism over statement Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles offered her condolences and was criticized for her responses to the slaying. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 Cagle also pointed to measures taken before the slaying, including creation of a position, chief safety and security officer. Khaleda Rahman anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 Ramsey, who has criticized the Boulder Police Department's efforts to solve the Christmastime slaying, has offered to fundraise to pay for investigative genetic genealogy, a newer technology that’s been used to solve high-profile cold cases such as the Golden State Killer. Louis Casiano , Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slaying

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slaying was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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