Murder: meaning, definitions and examples

Repeated entry, so addressed in the first item.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.