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Synonyms

slayer

American  
[sley-er] / ˈsleɪ ər /

noun

  1. a person who kills another person or creature, usually violently, or who destroys something.

    In the movie, the prince is a dragon slayer on a mission to kill the dragon responsible for corrupting the heart of the king.

    In Hindu legend, the goddess Kalaratri is worshiped as the slayer of darkness and ignorance.

Etymology

Origin of slayer

slay ( def. ) + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Actor Ryan Kiera Armstrong, who was set to lead the show as a supernatural slayer opposite Gellar, lamented the cancellation on Instagram.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Dr. Ilko argues that Guglielmo's reputation as a dragon slayer came from his role in cleansing the environment and restoring the valley's productivity.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

Most of these slayer rules, including California’s, apply only to “felonious and intentional” killings, meaning that they don’t apply if you accidentally kill someone.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2025

That civil finding would bar the slayer from inheriting without a criminal conviction.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2025

He was writing Lady Stark to make a peace, the King- slayer would soon be freed.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.