1
: one that kills
2
3
a
: one that has a forceful, violent, or striking impact
b
: one that is extremely difficult to deal with
1
: strikingly impressive or effective
a killer smile
a killer résumé
2
: extremely difficult to deal with
a killer fastball
also
: causing death or devastation
a killer tornado
Synonyms
Examples of killer in a Sentence
Noun
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women.
The chemical is used as a weed killer.
Adjective
killer viruses that claimed millions of lives
a killer exercise program guaranteed to whip you into shape
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
How a fugitive killer named ‘Smiley’ vanished from L.A. — only to return and strike again.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Amess' killer was inspired by Islamic State propaganda.
—Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, Webb said authorities did not believe the mall attack was terrorism related and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said officials were investigating the killer's motive.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The manifesto is expected to reveal more about the killer's motive and rage.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Apr. 2024
His ultimate acquittal, bound by a pair of bloody gloves believed to have been worn by the killer, was highly divisive.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Heart disease is the number one killer for men and women, and according to the CDC, about half of American adults have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking).
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
In Idaho, the scheduled execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech in February was halted after a medical team unsuccessfully tried eight times to establish an IV.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
The trailer then reveals Hartnett to be the killer, who is holding a victim hostage and now must find his way out of the concert venue.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
How a fugitive killer named ‘Smiley’ vanished from L.A. — only to return and strike again.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Amess' killer was inspired by Islamic State propaganda.
—Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024
On Sunday, Webb said authorities did not believe the mall attack was terrorism related and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said officials were investigating the killer's motive.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The manifesto is expected to reveal more about the killer's motive and rage.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Apr. 2024
His ultimate acquittal, bound by a pair of bloody gloves believed to have been worn by the killer, was highly divisive.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
Heart disease is the number one killer for men and women, and according to the CDC, about half of American adults have at least one of three key risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking).
—Erika Prouty, Verywell Health, 11 Apr. 2024
In Idaho, the scheduled execution of serial killer Thomas Eugene Creech in February was halted after a medical team unsuccessfully tried eight times to establish an IV.
—CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near killer
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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