Synonyms for

Murder

Verb / ˈmɜ:dɜ: / Another word for murder — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another

Synonyms & similar words

mangle hit execution polishoff slaying bumpoff slay mutilate remove dispatch off homicide killing assassination slaughter butchery bloodshed execution elimination liquidation extermination annihilation massacre genocide parricide matricide patricide regicide fratricide infanticide deicide

Synonyms by register

Formal

homicide assassination slaughter extermination

Informal

offing rubbing out whacking doing in

Literary

slaying dispatch liquidation

Antonyms

birth creation life aid help support protection

Common collocations

  • commit murder
  • attempted murder
  • murder weapon
  • murder trial
  • premeditated murder
  • mass murder
  • murder victim

Word family

noun murder
verb murder
adjective murderous

Usage note

Murder specifically refers to the unlawful killing of one human being by another. It is a strong and serious term with negative connotations.

Example sentences

  1. The murder of innocent people is a terrible crime.
  2. The witness saw the murderer running away from the scene of the crime.
  3. He was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison.
  4. The detective solved the murder case using forensic evidence.
  5. She was afraid that the murderer would come after her next.

Quotes

  • Murder is not justifiable under any circumstances.
  • The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.
  • Murder is always a mistake. One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.

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