adj
Uncommon
murderous
MUR-duh-ruhs
Murderous (adj) means intending or likely to kill; extremely violent. Example: “A murderous rage came over him when he saw the betrayal.”
adj
1
Intending or likely to kill; extremely violent.
"A murderous rage came over him when he saw the betrayal."
"The gang was known for its murderous reputation."
2
Extremely difficult or unpleasant (informal).
"That exam schedule is murderous — five tests in two days."
How to use murderous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCapable of murder, or (loosely) brutally harsh or intense.
Common pairings
murderous intent
murderous rage
murderous heat
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more murderous
- Superlative
- most murderous
Fill the gap
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A _____ rage came over him when he saw the betrayal.
Etymology
From murder plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for murderous
See all rhymes for murderous →Frequently asked questions
What does “murderous” mean?
The word “murderous” means intending or likely to kill; extremely violent. In plain terms, capable of murder, or (loosely) brutally harsh or intense.
How do you pronounce “murderous”?
“Murderous” is pronounced MUR-duh-ruhs (/ˈmɝdəɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “murderous” in a sentence?
Here is “murderous” used in a sentence: “A murderous rage came over him when he saw the betrayal.”
What part of speech is “murderous”?
“Murderous” is an adjective.
Is “murderous” a common word?
“Murderous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “murderous” have?
“Murderous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: intending or likely to kill; extremely violent.
