Word: Murder

Pronunciation

/ˈmɜːrdər/

Definitions

• Noun: The unlawful killing of one human being by another, especially with malice aforethought. For example: “The police were investigating the brutal murder case.”
  • As a mass noun: The act or practice of killing people in a cruel or violent way. Example: “The serial killer was known for his heinous murders.”
• Verb: To kill (someone) unlawfully and with malicious intent. Example: “She was murdered in her sleep.”
  • Figurative use: To ruin or spoil something completely. Example: “The new regulations will murder the chances of small businesses to thrive.”

Phrases

• “First-degree murder” refers to a premeditated and intentional killing, which carries the most severe penalties.
• “Murder mystery” is a genre of fiction or entertainment that involves a crime where someone is murdered, and the plot revolves around discovering who committed the crime.
• “To commit murder” means to carry out the act of murdering someone.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder.”
• Verb: “The suspect confessed to murdering the victim during a heated argument.”

Synonyms

• Homicide
• Killing
• Slaying
• Assassination
• Manslaughter (in legal contexts)
• Annihilation (figurative)
• Destruction (figurative)