1
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
the doctors were alarmed about the outbreak of the deadly new virus
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the deadly tedium of waiting for the fog to lift
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3
as in mortal
of, relating to, or suggestive of death
a deadly pallor spread across her face as the tragic news gradually sank in
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as in extremely
to a great degree
I'm deadly serious about making an offer on the house
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadly
ABC News,
22 June 2026
The single-engine turboprop plane that crashed in Butler, Missouri, soon after takeoff June 14 had just been brought in for skydiving flights 12 days before the deadly incident, The Star has learned.
—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
In Langbein’s comic, but also deadly serious, imagination, this is no mere metaphor.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Adjective
Medical specialists took to the airwaves to warn of the potentially deadly cocktail of drinking alcohol in extreme heat.
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ABC News,
22 June 2026
The single-engine turboprop plane that crashed in Butler, Missouri, soon after takeoff June 14 had just been brought in for skydiving flights 12 days before the deadly incident, The Star has learned.
—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
Adverb
Like those albums, LP4 operates with its own sense of logic and time, sounding alternately playful and deadly serious, proudly complex and refreshingly pared back.
—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
In Langbein’s comic, but also deadly serious, imagination, this is no mere metaphor.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
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The weather service also warns not to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
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At worst, the consequences can be lethal for mothers or babies.
Adjective
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This sheer shade is a light and delicate pink with a hint of beige.
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The sheer number of deals available can make shopping overwhelming for even the savviest shoppers.
Adjective
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In the popular imagination, romantasy is a heterosexual affair, centered on mortal heroines and their supernatural suitors.
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This season, the previously unparalleled superpowers of Scheffler’s iron play have diminished to near-mortal capabilities.
Adverb
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That restraint also challenges the idea that sauvignon blanc must be extremely aromatic to be recognizable.
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Superconductors can carry electricity with zero resistance, but only at extremely low temperatures.
Adjective
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The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
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The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators.
Adjective
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Meanwhile, since the Scaloni era’s unprecedented winning streak, Argentineans’ adoration of Messi has, at last, become unconditional.
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If the Heat’s pick in next year’s draft falls between 1 and 14, Miami would keep that pick and send Charlotte an unconditional first-round pick in 2028.
Adjective
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Both were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
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Satellite photos showed the destruction in Venezuela left by two powerful earthquakes that struck Wednesday and left more than 900 people dead.
Adverb
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Designers of these technologies have to be sensitive to the fact that consumers will invite these tools into their personal lives and homes, meaning that privacy and the scope of what will be collected must be incredibly strict.
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Doing both puts a lot of stress on the brain when temperatures rise, and some people are incredibly sensitive to it.
Cite this Entry
“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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