burke

[ burk ]

/ bɜrk /

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See synonyms for burke on Thesaurus.com

Definition of burke

verb (used with object), burked, burk·ing.

to murder, as by suffocation, so as to leave no or few marks of violence.

to suppress or get rid of by some indirect maneuver.

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Origin of burke

After W. Burke, hanged in 1829 in Edinburgh for murders of this kind

OTHER WORDS FROM burke

burker, burk·ite

[bur-kahyt], /ˈbɜr kaɪt/, noun

Words nearby burke

burin, Burj Dubai, Burk, burka, Burkburnett, burke, Burke, Edmund, Burkinabé, Burkina Faso, Burkini, Burkitt lymphoma

Other definitions for burke (2 of 2)

Burke

[ burk ]

/ bɜrk /

noun

Billie Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, 1886–1970, U.S. actress.

Edmund, 1729–97, Irish statesman, orator, and writer.

Kenneth Du·va

[doo-vuh], /duˈvə/, 1897–1993, U.S. literary critic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use burke in a sentence

In lesser hands, Burke’s story could have been a dull history lesson.
A high-five for ‘Singled Out’|Kathi Wolfe|March 26, 2021|Washington Blade
Thankfully, Maraniss, who lives with his wife and children in Nashville, transforms Burke’s story from a historical footnote into a vibrantly lived life.
A high-five for ‘Singled Out’|Kathi Wolfe|March 26, 2021|Washington Blade
Maraniss, whose first book “Strong Inside” received the Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK Book Awards’ Special Prize for social justice, makes Burke come alive.
A high-five for ‘Singled Out’|Kathi Wolfe|March 26, 2021|Washington Blade
Huxley and Burke didn’t mislead themselves for want of a correct definition of life any more than my girlfriend and I realized our error because we had one.
The surprisingly elusive definition of ‘life’|Jacob Brogan|March 26, 2021|Washington Post

Productivity, Burke found, peaks at about 55 degrees average temperature and then drops as the climate warms.
The Big Thaw: How Russia Could Dominate a Warming World|by Abrahm Lustgarten, photography by Sergey Ponomarev|December 16, 2020|ProPublica
Robert Kennedy and his Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall brought new energy to the Civil Rights Division.
Honoring The Late John Doar, A Nearly Forgotten Hero Of The Civil Rights Era|Gary May|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, however, it appears that Democrat Mary Burke leads among women by six points.
Women Voters Haunted by the GOP's Tricks|Sally Kohn|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No friend of liberty can avoid the tumble back and forth between Burke and Paine.
My Coffee Klatch With Rand Paul|P. J. O’Rourke|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The USS Arleigh Burke, a destroyer, and USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser, launched a total of 47 Tomahawk missiles.
$70 Billion Stealth Jet Finally Flies in Its First War|Dave Majumdar|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An earlier Marquette Law School poll showed a tighter race, but with Burke again easily beating Walker by 18 points among women.
What Do Women Want? Not the GOP|Lloyd Green|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Dangerfield has a heap of friends through this part of the country," commented Burke.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Matt's delight must have been reflected in his face, for Burke's interest in him manifestly deepened.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
You see, the smugglers weren't expecting trouble, and Burke took them by surprise.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
If Bascomb is one of Burke's men, he couldn't be coming back with two of the Dangerfield gang.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
"He'll stand trial, along with the six men captured by Burke," replied the sheriff.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for burke (1 of 2)

burke

/ (bɜːk) /

verb (tr)

to murder in such a way as to leave no marks on the body, usually by suffocation

to get rid of, silence, or suppress

Word Origin for burke

C19: named after William Burke, executed in Edinburgh for a murder of this type

British Dictionary definitions for burke (2 of 2)

Burke

/ (bɜːk) /

noun

Edmund . 1729–97, British Whig statesman, conservative political theorist, and orator, born in Ireland: defended parliamentary government and campaigned for a more liberal treatment of the American colonies; denounced the French Revolution

Robert O'Hara . 1820–61, Irish explorer, who led the first expedition (1860–61) across Australia from south to north. He was accompanied by W. J. Wills, George Grey, and John King; King alone survived the return journey

William . 1792–1829, Irish murderer and body snatcher; associate of William Hare

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

burke

Definition of burke

Origin of burke

OTHER WORDS FROM burke

Words nearby burke

Other definitions for burke (2 of 2)

Words related to burke

How to use burke in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for burke (1 of 2)

Word Origin for burke

British Dictionary definitions for burke (2 of 2)