1
as in oppressive
difficult to endure
the murderous heat of the desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
those exams were murderous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
braved murderous machine-gun fire to capture the hill from the enemy
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4
as in murdering
eager for or marked by the shedding of blood, extreme violence, or killing
Viking warriors became legendary for the murderous fury they displayed in battle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of murderous
None of this compares to the murderous terror of the 1970s, but that too didn’t start as violence.
—
Katja Hoyer, semafor.com, 19 July 2025
Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili (if only Boba Fett could have been so diabolical in his own show).
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
But both Dexter and Dexter viewers get quite the shock at the end of the episode when the Gemini Killer casually meets back up with Dexter and their fellow murderous peers, as if nothing happened at all.
—Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
She has been locked up at Willow Hill and interrogated by Dr. Fairburn (Thandiwe Newton), who is seeking insight into how to control the Hyde, a murderous species that was banned from Nevermore.
—Jane Lacroix, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Katja Hoyer, semafor.com, 19 July 2025
Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili (if only Boba Fett could have been so diabolical in his own show).
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
But both Dexter and Dexter viewers get quite the shock at the end of the episode when the Gemini Killer casually meets back up with Dexter and their fellow murderous peers, as if nothing happened at all.
—Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025
She has been locked up at Willow Hill and interrogated by Dr. Fairburn (Thandiwe Newton), who is seeking insight into how to control the Hyde, a murderous species that was banned from Nevermore.
—Jane Lacroix, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for murderous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murderous
Adjective
-
Forceful change to address an oppressive boardroom dynamic may be necessary.—
Michael Peregrine,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The oppressive heat certainly affected spectators and stadium staff.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Palace’s recruitment strategy depends on selling players, however difficult such deals are to stomach.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The Chamber said the cancellation was a difficult decision but ultimately the best course of action.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The true key to the film’s success is Ronan herself, who perfectly balances deadly precision with emotional vulnerability—childlike in curiosity but lethal in execution.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Our test vehicle was also equipped with the aforementioned Precision Package, and while the suspension tuning is noticeably firmer than that of the standard Blackwing, its ride quality still isn’t as harsh as the latest M5 around town and out on the highway.—
Bradley Iger,
Robb Report,
27 Aug. 2025
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The move to question Europe’s harsh CO2 curtailment rules coincides with Trump Administration efforts to terminate rules based on the case that CO2 is a danger to public health These rules form the basis for U.S. greenhouse gas regulations.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Taking the most challenging courses available — like AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes — signals preparedness for college-level work.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Getting the Supreme Court to take this case at all is going to be extremely challenging.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Both are incredibly venomous and deadly, but the Coral snake has more neurotoxic venom on a drop-for-drop basis.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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The suspect in the deadly shooting Friday, Aug. 22 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was taken into custody early Saturday morning, according to the Detroit Police Department.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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After watching in terror as a man violently attacked a police officer in an El Cajon fast-food restaurant, Iesha Booker checked for a pulse on the bloody, unconscious officer and yelled into the radio on his belt.—
Karen Kucher,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
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Photos of the man in a hospital bed with a bloody mouth were also posted.—
Jonece Starr Dunigan,
AL.com,
14 July 2017
Adjective
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Oliver wants the world to perceive his authenticity—a funny, slightly searing character trait for a fictional rising pop star.—
Eric Torres,
Pitchfork,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The contiguous United States has endured another searing summer.—
Chris Mooney,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Murderous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murderous. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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