murderous

American  

[mur-der-uhs] / ˈmɜr dər əs /

adjective

1. of the nature of or involving murder.

   a murderous deed.

2. guilty of, bent on, or capable of murder.

3. extremely difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.

   murderous heat.

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murderous British  

/ ˈmɜːdərəs /

adjective

1. intending, capable of, or guilty of murder

2. informal very dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant

   a murderous road

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Other Word Forms

• murderously adverb
• murderousness noun
• nonmurderous adjective

Etymology

Origin of murderous

First recorded in 1525–35; murder + -ous

Example Sentences

The upbeat vibe is markedly different from the apocalyptic, at times murderous, sci-fi of today.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite the government's insistence its targets were part of an illicit and murderous network, residents tell a different story.

From Barron's

He took one sniff and would have fled if Torak hadn’t grabbed him and assured him in low half-barks that it really was him, and not some murderous wolverine.

From Literature

And yet how many Americans haven’t stared down a hardwood alley with murderous intent, preparing to unload a polished missile against 10 arrogant pins?

From The Wall Street Journal

I saw it partner with the U.S.-led coalition against the murderous Islamic State.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brutal
• cruel
• dangerous
• deadly
• destructive
• devastating
• ferocious
• lethal
• ruinous
• savage