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Synonyms

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.
murderous British  
/ ˈmɜːdərəs /

adjective

  1. intending, capable of, or guilty of murder

  2. informal very dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant

    a murderous road
"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

  • murderously adverb
  • murderousness noun
  • nonmurderous adjective

Etymology

Origin of murderous

First recorded in 1525–35; murder + -ous

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.

The upbeat vibe is markedly different from the apocalyptic, at times murderous, sci-fi of today.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Despite the government's insistence its targets were part of an illicit and murderous network, residents tell a different story.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

To be clear, the incident, shown from a couple different angles, does not show murderous intent from the driver.

From Slate • Jan. 7, 2026

This year’s rendition is filled with murderous red-eyed ravens up to no good, and in true Haunted Mansion fashion it has a pun for a name.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2025

“That’s a pretty murderous way to hit a ball. You almost killed me.”

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.