burke
verb (used with object)
to murder, as by suffocation, so as to leave no or few marks of violence.
Showing results for "burke"
- a variation of Burk.
burke
1 American
[burk]
/ bɜrk /
verb (used with object)
burked,
burking
-
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.
Burke
2
American
[burk]
/ bɜrk /
noun
-
Billie Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke, 1886–1970, U.S. actress.
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Edmund, 1729–97, Irish statesman, orator, and writer.
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Kenneth Duva 1897–1993, U.S. literary critic.
Burke
1
British
/ 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
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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
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William . 1792–1829, Irish murderer and body snatcher; associate of William Hare
burke
2
British
/ bɜːk /
verb
-
to murder in such a way as to leave no marks on the body, usually by suffocation
-
to get rid of, silence, or suppress
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of burke
After W. Burke, hanged in 1829 in Edinburgh for murders of this kind
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:
You cannot, beyond a certain limit of time, burke reality.
From The Free Press by Hilaire Belloc
There must be no question of trying to shirk or burke it.
From My Friend Prospero by Henry Harland
Look here—it's no use trying to burke facts.
From Scarhaven Keep by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
There is no disposition here to burke the fact that these responsibilities are serious, if not onerous; that they call for administrative statesmanship of a very high order.
From The Head Hunters of Northern Luzon by Cornélis de Witt Willcox
It has been said that in the delays in bringing forward this subject, I have been anxious to burke discussion.
From Indian speeches (1907-1909) by John Morley
That leaves right guard Cole Strange, a fifth-year veteran, likely starting alongside four rookies: left tackle Logan Taylor, left guard Jake Slaughter, center Jacob Spomer and right tackle Travis Burke.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
“Hands down, the EV can win on energy cost, but we still have to make sure we don’t give those savings back through downtime and lost utilization,” Burke said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
When Sean Burke and Alyse Stanley bought their first home in Rockford, Ill., in October 2023, the average 30-year mortgage rate had just crossed 8%.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Burke added that the panel felt Sani's treatment of the man was "not something that could be remediated with training" as it reflected her attitude.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
“So your mother cuts the hair of Burke Allen and Burke Allen and Burke Allen?”
From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo
They burked the challenge then; their half measures of diplomatic ostracism only strengthened Franco with his own people.
From Time Magazine Archive
I’ve tried to get something out of Murad, but my messengers have failed; but all the same, I feel sure he knows all about it, and burked Arthur for a reason of his own.”
From One Maid's Mischief by George Manville Fenn
Cynthia wanted to come, but Mrs. Devar had evidently burked the excursion.
From Cynthia's Chauffeur by Louis Tracy
I am sorry to say that, stenographically speaking, I burked Isaiah, and contented myself with the long-hand abbreviation, Is., and as to the text itself, I thought the first three words would suffice.
From Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects by William Andrews
Or to bring it directly home to Dickens, the following quotation will serve: "'You don't mean to say he was "burked," Sam?' said Mr. Pickwick."
From Dickens' London by M. F. (Milburg Francisco) Mansfield
The burking of his cablegrams, made known by the Baron, was the last straw in an aggravated load.
From The Wheel O' Fortune by Louis Tracy
You don’t suppose as I’m giving up my respectable business of a nat’ralist to go in for burking and doctor’s work, do you?
From A Little World by George Manville Fenn
"I'm not even allowed to weed my own garden now," John thought, burking the point at issue; and his disillusionment became so profound that he actually invited Harold to go for a walk with him.
From Poor Relations by Compton MacKenzie
Any tax, therefore, levied on those who have neither land nor money is a crying injustice, except, indeed," he added with bitter irony, "we admit of a small pole-tax to keep down burking.
From Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 1 of 3) by Margracia Loudon
I encounter a Vagualame disguised, who runs as if all the devils of hell were after him ... who makes off with extraordinary agility, whose presence of mind in burking pursuit is marvellous!...
From A Nest of Spies by Marcel Allain
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