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Murder Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”ช
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murder

[หˆmษ™หdษ™ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

crime

The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

Synonyms

assassination, homicide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
murder

Repeated entry, so addressed in the first item.
homicide

A legal term used to describe the act of one person killing another. It can be used generally for both murder and manslaughter.

  • The police are investigating the case as a homicide.
  • He was arrested on suspicion of homicide.
assassination

Refers to the deliberate killing of a prominent or important person, often for political reasons or for financial gain.

  • The assassination of the president shocked the nation.
  • The infamous assassination was planned meticulously.

Examples of usage

  • He was charged with murder.
  • The murder of innocent civilians is a heinous crime.
Context #2 | Verb

committing a crime

To kill (someone) unlawfully and with premeditation.

Synonyms

kill, slay.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
murder

Used in legal or formal situations to describe the intentional and unlawful killing of a person. It often has a strong negative connotation.

  • The detective worked tirelessly to solve the murder case.
  • He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
kill

A more general term, applicable in a variety of contexts, from accidental to deliberate acts. It does not always imply unlawfulness.

  • The soldier was trained to kill in combat.
  • He accidentally killed the plant by overwatering it.
slay

Often found in literary or fantasy contexts, it implies killing in a dramatic or heroic manner. It can also be used informally to mean impressing or captivating someone.

  • The knight set out to slay the dragon and save the kingdom.
  • She absolutely slayed her performance at the talent show.

Examples of usage

  • He murdered his wife in cold blood.
  • The suspect was found guilty of murdering the victim.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'murder'

The word 'murder' originated from the Old English 'morthor', which itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic 'murรพrฤ…'. The concept of murder has been a part of human society since ancient times, with various cultures developing different views and punishments for this crime.

See also: murderer.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,815, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.