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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killer
Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
For every blockbuster streaming series about a notorious serial killer, there’s a discussion to be had about whether anyone is benefitting from gruesome TV portrayals that some feel glamorize killers and exploit their victims.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
Continue reading … BEHIND BARS — 'Happy Face' killer warns fellow serial killer Rex Heuermann could be 'tossed to the wolves' in prison.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
At an emotionally raw sentencing hearing, Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann received life in prison without the possibility of parole.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
Noun
While a police spokesman told Polish news broadcaster TVN that the killers’ motives are unknown, Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday that this was likely a political assassination, reports France24.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
For every blockbuster streaming series about a notorious serial killer, there’s a discussion to be had about whether anyone is benefitting from gruesome TV portrayals that some feel glamorize killers and exploit their victims.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 June 2026
Continue reading … BEHIND BARS — 'Happy Face' killer warns fellow serial killer Rex Heuermann could be 'tossed to the wolves' in prison.
—FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
At an emotionally raw sentencing hearing, Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann received life in prison without the possibility of parole.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killer
Noun
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This first patient had fever, headaches, muscle pain, malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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Earlier this year, Patagonia sued a drag queen and environmental activist performing under the name Pattie Gonia in a trademark dispute, and the feud is quickly becoming a PR headache for the eco-friendly apparel brand.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Ditto Hugh Jackman’s unerring performance — perhaps his finest dramatic work yet — as a savage, unfeeling thug and unrepentant murderer and thief.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
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The curse of season two is why Big Little Lies became a boring courtroom drama, True Detective became a running joke, and Landry became a murderer.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Protesters rallied for hours Tuesday outside the courthouse, with WCCO crews witnessing law enforcement use non-lethal or less-lethal munitions against demonstrators, including both tear gas and pepper spray.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Trump also brought lethal injection back to federal prisons, a protocol Biden withdrew before his term ended.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Otherwise, those prospects start becoming large contracts that stand more difficult to move or aggregate.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Noun
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After the army, Snowden worked briefly as a security guard before landing a job in the global communications division at the CIA.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
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Washington — While millions of Americans are struggling to find jobs in a tough labor market, healthcare is emerging as a lifeline for career changers.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Swedish investigators said the shooter was no professional assassin – but another teenage boy who had been recruited to kill.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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The queen would go on to become the longest-serving British monarch of all time—surpassing 70 years on the throne before her death in 2022—while Jackie’s time as first lady was cut short by an assassin’s bullet on November 22, 1963, not yet three years into her tenure.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Other fatal skydiving crashes in Missouri Sunday’s crash was at least the fourth deadly skydiving incident in Missouri since 1998.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
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Dennis Jacobs, the airport manager and director of Bates County Emergency Management, previously told USA TODAY that the incident was the deadliest crash in the airport's roughly 50-year history.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The agreement calls for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and sets out expectations for the next phase of talks, which will tackle more challenging issues, mainly the future of Iran's nuclear program.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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This creates a particularly challenging environment for those working in contributor welfare.—
Emma Pringle,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killer. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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