murderous

American  

[mur-der-uhs] / ˈmɜr dər əs /

adjective

1. of the nature of or involving murder.

   a murderous deed.

2. guilty of, bent on, or capable of murder.

3. extremely difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.

   murderous heat.

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murderous British  

/ ˈmɜːdərəs /

adjective

1. intending, capable of, or guilty of murder

2. informal very dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant

   a murderous road

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Other Word Forms

• murderously adverb
• murderousness noun
• nonmurderous adjective

Etymology

Origin of murderous

First recorded in 1525–35; murder + -ous

Example Sentences

I saw it partner with the U.S.-led coalition against the murderous Islamic State.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after Museveni took power in 1986, ending years of bloodshed and chaos under murderous tyrants, the young president mused that leaders overstaying their welcome lay at the heart of Africa's problems.

From Barron's

She had no idea whether it made her look relaxed or even more murderous.

From Literature

From a design shop in Valencia with “murderous” dolls to a studio in Dublin to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, our photographers have been everywhere this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Gene immediately spots me and starts glaring with the watchful eyes of a murderous velociraptor.

From Literature

Related Words

• brutal
• cruel
• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• devastating
• ferocious
• lethal
• ruinous
• savage