slaying

noun

slay·​ing ˈslā-iŋ How to pronounce slaying (audio)
plural slayings
Synonyms of slayingnext
: the act of killing a person : killing, murder
used chiefly in journalistic writing
a gangland slaying
Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.Peter Stein
He is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …Joseph P. Fried

Examples of slaying in a Sentence

a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Law Department plans to urge the City Council Finance Committee to advance the deal Monday for Arnold Day, who confessed to two separate 1991 slayings. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 The slaying brought back stark memories of the global outcry over the 2016 murder of Honduran environmentalist Berta Cáceres. Marlon González, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 The jury finds Murdaugh guilty in the 2021 slayings. Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026 On the day of Alejandro’s slaying, Ripley called 911, claiming that two Black men took the boy after running her off the road near a West Kendall Home Depot. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slaying

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slaying was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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