murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmər-d(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: having the purpose or capability of murder

b

: characterized by or causing murder or bloodshed

2

: having the ability or power to overwhelm : devastating

murderous heat

murderously adverb

murderousness noun

Synonyms

• bitter
• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• excruciating
• grievous
• grim
• hard
• hardhanded
• harsh
• heavy
• inhuman
• onerous
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• searing
• severe
• stiff
• tough
• trying

Examples of murderous in a Sentence

I can't stand this murderous heat.

The lead runner set a murderous pace.

Recent Examples on the Web

His heroes are often murderous vigilantes doling out death sentences to greedy politicians, officials and businessmen. —Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025

This includes how the U.N. will respond to Syria’s caretaker government, which ousted the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad but is headed by a U.S.-designated terrorist group. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025

In addition to David Howard Thornton playing the menacing murderous mouse in Screamboat, the film also stars Tyler Posey, Amy Schumacher, Allison Pittel, Jesse Posey, Jesse Kove and Thornton’s Terrifier 2 co-star Kailey Hyman. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Blood is seen pouring out of skinned animals, the near-constant cruelty of the state’s differing climates is apparent and the ruthless, murderous human beings driven by capitalism and colonialism are lethal. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

murderous

adjective

mur·​der·​ous ˈmərd-(ə-)rəs 

1

: intending or capable of causing murder or bloodshed : deadly

murderous machine-gun fire

2

: very difficult to bear or withstand

a murderous glance

murderous heat

murderously adverb