1
as in funny
causing or intended to cause laughter
he's usually quiet, but occasionally unleashes some killing remark that cracks everyone up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
a killing schedule that requires the touring company to play in a different city every night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
1
as in destroying
to deprive of life
during the war more soldiers were killed by disease than anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dismissing
to reject by or as if by a vote
the Senate killed the bill by a single vote
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in deleting
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
I think that paragraph is irrelevant, so kill it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
the long hike up the mountain just about killed us
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5
as in fascinating
to attract or delight as if by magic
with his dark good looks he would positively kill the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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6
as in braking
to cause to stop functioning
kill the engine before it overheats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of killing
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
12 Oct. 2020
Rebecca Boone,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Twiggs was living with Robinson at the time of the killing as a romantic partner.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for killing
Adjective
For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea.
—
Howard Garrett,
Dallas News,
26 July 2021
And Morgan put an end to his non-killing ways by chopping off the head of his bounty-hunting pursuer — stealing his axe and hat in the process.
—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
12 Oct. 2020
Noun
Conjecture over the evidence in Kirk’s killing has fueled unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that there might have been a second shooter, or that his death was staged.
—
Rebecca Boone,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Twiggs was living with Robinson at the time of the killing as a romantic partner.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Verb
The man accused of stabbing and killing 81-year-old actor James Handy is not fit to stand trial, a judge has ruled.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for killing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killing
Adjective
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Watching improv is reliably funny because performers work without a script.
-
But figuring out how to do all that while being funny at the same time?
Adjective
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Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.
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Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said that fighting the fire had been extremely challenging.
Noun
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Any updates surrounding the cleanup will also be posted on the OC Health Care Agency website.
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There are over 6,600 petroleum sites around the state currently in the cleanup process or awaiting funding according to 2023 data from Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Noun
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Prosecutors allege the pistol was used in a 2021 Chicago murder and later in the shooting of a rival gang member.
-
Liar, marking a reunion between Seo Hyun-jin and Yoo Yeon-seok as a criminal profiler and a corporate attorney on opposing sides of a murder case tied to a powerful conglomerate, also continues through the month.
Verb
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Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
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But Blue Origin suffered a major setback in May when one of its New Glenn rockets abruptly exploded on the launchpad, destroying vital infrastructure that will take months to rebuild.
Verb
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Integration Calling genomics the most powerful data asset in biopharma does not mean dismissing other data types.
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For now, Comcast is dismissing M&A talk, but there also is the matter of timing.
Verb
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If an app starts asking for data access or input that is irrelevant to its core function, users should be educated to consider deleting it.
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Unlike a text, there’s no drafting, deleting or do-over.
Verb
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He was last seen wearing a light green shirt, camouflage shorts and white socks.
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Murdaugh’s team initially asked that he be allowed to come to all court appearances, including pretrial hearings, wearing civilian clothes and unshackled.
Cite this Entry
“Killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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