1
as in headache
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work
weeding out that overgrown garden is going to be a killer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in murderer
a person who kills another person
gunned down by hired killers
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
killer viruses that claimed millions of lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
a killer exercise program guaranteed to whip you into shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 killer
Steve Forbes, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The killers included white policemen, sheriffs, businessmen, even a legislator—all part of the Jim Crow system aimed at disenfranchising Black voters.
—Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
Dennis Quaid is set to mark a haunting role in his filmography: Playing a serial killer.
—Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
At Monday's news conference, Hochman frequently referenced California Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2022 decision to deny parole to Robert F. Kennedy's killer, Sirhan Sirhan, citing that case as the precedent the judge should consider with the Menendez brothers.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
Noun
In 2019–20 heart disease, the number one killer in America for both men and women, cost the nation over $250 billion in medical costs and lost productivity.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The killers included white policemen, sheriffs, businessmen, even a legislator—all part of the Jim Crow system aimed at disenfranchising Black voters.
—Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
Dennis Quaid is set to mark a haunting role in his filmography: Playing a serial killer.
—Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
At Monday's news conference, Hochman frequently referenced California Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2022 decision to deny parole to Robert F. Kennedy's killer, Sirhan Sirhan, citing that case as the precedent the judge should consider with the Menendez brothers.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer
Noun
-
Skeptics point to volatility, security headaches, and the risk of distorting bitcoin markets if a major government holds too large a stake.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
These side effects include hot flashes, nausea, calf cramps, skin itching or burning, headaches, abdominal discomforts, and fatigue.18 6.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and Hamas' murderers and rapists will face the IDF with unprecedented force.—
James Hider,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
-
In real life, the probability of a nurse being a murderer in disguise, though not zero, was low, and Lilian did not believe that such a sensational turn was likely to occur to her.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2023, Idaho authorized the firing squad as a method of execution if lethal injection drugs were not available.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
-
While castor beans themselves are harmless, ricin, when extracted correctly in a complex process, is lethal and has been the stuff of Cold War assassinations and the plot of a popular episode on the Breaking Bad television series.—
Michael Loria,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Her resiliency is reflected in her students, who do not shy from a difficult story.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The danger was obvious at Villa Park, but Justin did a better job of heading the danger away against Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stadium just before Christmas… … until Wolves gathered up the second ball and Nelson Semedo clipped another high ball back into the box.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The deepening of the national debt comes even as President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk target government spending through the Department of Government Efficiency, which has implemented broad job cuts across agencies.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Reeves is John Wick, but that doesn't mean that the world that is currently being built around the famed assassin doesn't have others that could act as de facto John Wick.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
-
In his presentation on Monday, Hochman drew a parallel between the Menendez case and the case of Sirhan Sirhan, the assassin of Robert Kennedy.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The deadly weapon, prosecutors say, was Diaz's own bodily fluids.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The mothers connect to participate in public awareness campaigns, sharing their stories to warn young people and their families about fentanyl, the deadly drug often sold illicitly by dealers as prescription pills on social media accounts.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Global hiring can offer a fresh solution in these challenging times.—
James Peters,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Morgan Stanley's chief strategist anticipates a challenging few months for U.S. stocks as President Donald Trump's tariff policies continue to fuel market volatility.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share