murderous

[ mur-der-uhs ]

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.

murderous

/ ˈmɜːdərəs /

adjective

1. intending, capable of, or guilty of murder
2. informal.
   very dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant

   a murderous road

Derived Forms

• ˈmurderously, adverb
• ˈmurderousness, noun

Other Words From

• murder·ous·ly adverb
• murder·ous·ness noun
• non·murder·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of murderous¹

First recorded in 1525–35; murder + -ous

Example Sentences

The murderous mea culpa was shared in a trailer for the upcoming Peacock docuseries "Making Manson."

From Salon

And a big lecture from Grant’s murderous Mr. Reed about how they were exactly where they wanted to be.

From Los Angeles Times

Cowboys, murderous revenge plots and family secrets have kept Yellowstone fans hooked since 2018.

From BBC

The 1992 film sees Todd's character accidentally summoned to the real world by a graduate student in Chicago intrigued by the urban legend of the Candyman, setting off a chain of murderous events.

From BBC

Aid agency bosses have repeatedly condemned Hamas’s murderous October 7th assault on Israeli civilians.

From BBC

Related Words

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