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
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
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Up to the plate stepped dangerous slugger Kyle Schwarber, the longtime Rockie killer, who ripped a ball 107 mph to deep center.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Just 10 minutes later, Ashley, in a complete change of direction, named her own mother as Harold's killer.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the world's most prolific serial killers, Bundy confessed to murdering at least 30 women and young girls between 1974 and 1978, and investigators suspect that there may be many more victims, as the extent of his crimes (which also included rape and kidnapping) isn't fully known.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Detroit’s penalty-killers kept the Wild off the board for the next two minutes, but the teams had been back to 5-on-5 for just six seconds when Tarasenko hit a tiny gap over the goalie’s shoulder for a 3-1 Minnesota lead.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Up to the plate stepped dangerous slugger Kyle Schwarber, the longtime Rockie killer, who ripped a ball 107 mph to deep center.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Just 10 minutes later, Ashley, in a complete change of direction, named her own mother as Harold's killer.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
One of the world's most prolific serial killers, Bundy confessed to murdering at least 30 women and young girls between 1974 and 1978, and investigators suspect that there may be many more victims, as the extent of his crimes (which also included rape and kidnapping) isn't fully known.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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