slay

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slay distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of slay are assassinate, dispatch, execute, kill, and murder. While all these words mean "to deprive of life," slay is a chiefly literary term implying deliberateness and violence but not necessarily motive.

slew thousands of the Philistines

Where would assassinate be a reasonable alternative to slay?

The words assassinate and slay can be used in similar contexts, but assassinate applies to deliberate killing openly or secretly often for political motives.

terrorists assassinated the Senator

In what contexts can dispatch take the place of slay?

Although the words dispatch and slay have much in common, dispatch stresses quickness and directness in putting to death.

dispatched the sentry with one bullet

When can execute be used instead of slay?

The words execute and slay are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, execute stresses putting to death as a legal penalty.

executed by lethal gas

When might kill be a better fit than slay?

The synonyms kill and slay are sometimes interchangeable, but kill merely states the fact of death caused by an agency in any manner.

killed in an accident
frost killed the plants

When is it sensible to use murder instead of slay?

While in some cases nearly identical to slay, murder specifically implies stealth and motive and premeditation and therefore full moral responsibility.

convicted of murdering a rival

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slay Dorthy Moxley, who fought for decades for justice for her daughter, slain in 1975, in the gated Belle Haven neighborhood of Greenwich, has died, according to sources and multiple media outlets. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024 Trinity is considered the most infamous serial killer Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has ever slayed. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 23 Dec. 2024 Despite her bitterness over UnitedHealthcare’s treatment of her stepfather, Watts was horrified to read the vitriol aimed at the slain executive. Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024 Mangione pleads not guilty to CEO slaying charges The man accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson to death on a Manhattan street pleaded not guilty Monday to state murder and terrorism charges, just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slay 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slay
Verb
  • By comparison, Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 storm that devastated New Orleans, killed more than 1,800 and cost about $200 billion, according to federal estimates.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The Eaton Fire, which is burning near Pasadena, was responsible for 11 of the deaths, while the Palisades Fire killed five people, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The tradition of a national day of mourning following the death of a notable public figure began in the U.S. after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, according to The New York Times.
    Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Catch up quick: After Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the Shia militia group suffered a series of defeats, the Biden administration decided to take advantage of the situation and push Lebanese leaders to elect a new president.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This year, however, will be a much more muted affair, as the Palisades and Eaton Fires have destroyed thousands of homes, killed 25 people and forced more than 150,000 residents to evacuate.
    Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Related article Tracking the damage and devastation from the Los Angeles wildfires in maps As many as 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures may have been destroyed in the wildfires raging in Los Angeles County, rendering entire communities ashen piles of rubble.
    Dakin Andone, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The GoFundMe established this week singles out her 5-year-old son as needing special attention after seeing his mom get murdered.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • California For Subscribers The Mexican Mafia Tapes: Secret recordings reveal greed, betrayal — and a deal with the feds Sept. 4, 2024 Stinson had already been serving a life sentence for murdering a drug dealer in 1979.
    Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Over the course of two decades, Rita executed 169 transfers, averaging $2.5 million per year.
    Sean Keane, ABC News, 15 Jan. 2025
  • It has been widely reported that the President-elect plans to execute as many as 100 executive orders on a wide variety of issues during his first day in office next Monday.
    David Blackmon, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near slay

Cite this Entry

“Slay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slay. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slay

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!