1
: the act of one that kills
2
3
: a sudden notable gain or profit
made a killing in the stock market
1
: that kills or relates to killing
2
: highly amusing
3
: extremely difficult to deal with
the suspense is killing
also
: calling for great strength, stamina, or endurance
a killing schedule
Synonyms
Examples of killing in a Sentence
Noun
The oil spill is responsible for the killing of thousands of birds.
Adjective
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
He was charged in the additional killings of 18-year-old Jill Barcomb, 21-year-old Jill Parenteau, 27-year-old Georgia Wixted and 32-year-old Charlotte Lamb after new DNA evidence connected him to the victims.
—Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for killing 
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Noun
Now investigators in at least three countries, including the United States, are sorting through a rogues’ gallery of players, trying to determine how the killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, 53, was carried out on July 7, 2021.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
He was charged in the additional killings of 18-year-old Jill Barcomb, 21-year-old Jill Parenteau, 27-year-old Georgia Wixted and 32-year-old Charlotte Lamb after new DNA evidence connected him to the victims.
—Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The anti-trapping, anti-killing anything movement has also taken a toll.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Jan. 2022
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 26 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for killing
Dictionary Entries Near killing
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killing. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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