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Synonyms

slayer

American  
[sley-er] / ˈsleɪ ər /

noun

  • slayers
    plural
  1. a person who kills another person or creature, usually violently, or who destroys something.

    In the movie, the prince is a dragon slayer on a mission to kill the dragon responsible for corrupting the heart of the king.

    In Hindu legend, the goddess Kalaratri is worshiped as the slayer of darkness and ignorance.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of slayer

slay ( def. ) + -er 1

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:

Nearly every state in the U.S. has a version of California’s slayer statute, which effectively disinherits beneficiaries who’ve “feloniously and intentionally” killed their benefactors.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

And the aging-out of Judith, who named herself after the slayer of Holofernes and whom the Agency is trying to retire.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

Actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who was set to lead the show as a supernatural slayer opposite Gellar, lamented the cancellation on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 16, 2026

Dr. Ilko argues that Guglielmo's reputation as a dragon slayer came from his role in cleansing the environment and restoring the valley's productivity.

From Science Daily Feb. 2, 2026

His grandsire had been slain by Robert at Summer- hall; somehow this had elevated his slayer to godlike prowess in the grandson’s eyes.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Stakeholders: It makes me think of vampire slayers.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 26, 2026

In the main, however, townsfolk do not roll out the welcome wagon for these slayers for hire.

From Salon Jul. 8, 2023

Last year’s follow-up “As Above, So Below” continues her sharp social critiques, reflections and genre-blending with pond-hopping collabs with American bar slayers Joey Bada$$ and Denzel Curry and ’70s Zamrock greats Witch.

From Seattle Times Apr. 19, 2023

With this win Tiafoe moved toward the front of the line of would-be dragon slayers.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 5, 2022

The Clutter slayers, granted a reprieve by a Federal judge, evaded their date.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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