homicidal

[hom-uh-sahyd-l, hoh-muh-]

adjective

1. of or relating to homicide.

2. having a tendency to commit homicide.

Other Word Forms

• homicidally adverb
• unhomicidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of homicidal¹

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

Example Sentences

Many of them… had black box warnings that warn of suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation.

From Salon

Serial killers almost always worked alone, but there might be “one homicidal maniac or several,” The Times reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Holm’s science officer looked like a person until it bled white instead of red, which accompanied a glitch that turned it homicidal.

From Salon

Their brief mission extends to an overnight stay on the mainland when Jamie and Spike are discovered by a group of Alphas — zombies of the sprinting, ravenous and homicidal kind.

From Salon

Joel and Ellie survived zombie hordes, cannibals and homicidal despots, only to have him be taken down by good intentions.

From Salon

Related Words

• bloodthirsty 
• maniacal 
• violent