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

Godzilla slowly morphed from a murderous monster into a monstrous defender of humanity in the Japanese films, a transition that was also reflected in the later U.S.-made films. —Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024

And in the harsh heat of that fateful Texas summer, the unsuspecting teens encounter a family of murderous cannibals, including the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen). —Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Director Luca Guadagnino will be directing a new adaptation of American Psycho, a Brett Easton Ellis novel turned cult classic film about murderous finance metrosexual Patrick Bateman against the fever pitch backdrop of consumerist culture in 1980s white collar New York. —Quispe López, Them, 18 Oct. 2024

Worse yet, a seedy private eye (Kevin Bacon) starts invading Maxine’s personal space and threatens to expose her murderous past. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

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