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Synonyms

homicidal

American  
[hom-uh-sahyd-l, hoh-muh-] / ˌhɒm əˈsaɪd l, ˌhoʊ mə- /

adjective

  1. of or relating to homicide.

  2. having a tendency to commit homicide.


homicidal British  
/ ˌhɒmɪˈsaɪdəl /

adjective

  1. of, involving, or characterized by homicide

  2. likely to commit homicide

    a homicidal maniac

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of homicidal

First recorded in 1715–25; homicide + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Having evaded 12 homicidal masked madmen, madwomen, mad-cousins and mad-siblings, Sidney is now a married mother of three who prefers the last name Evans.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 26, 2026

It strikes me as reckless and borderline homicidal, but I have been wrong about Musk before.

From Slate Dec. 9, 2025

Among them are a vengeful sheriff who is convinced of the siblings’ homicidal past and is determined to see them punished.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 5, 2025

From there, he uses Tom to enact his next escape, forcing him to drive them away from Robbie’s house, which he assumes will soon be swarming with cops, or homicidal bikers, or both.

From Salon Oct. 6, 2025

You want an animal that is piqued, peeved, vexed, bothered, irked, annoyed—but not homicidal.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

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