1
as in to kill
to deprive of life
millions have been slain worldwide by this dreadful disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to assassinate
to put to death deliberately
vowed to slay without mercy whoever was responsible for murdering his family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of slay
The new team, nicknamed the Vatreni (the blazers or the fiery ones), was considered a rank outsider, and few expected the masterful giant-slaying campaign that Croatia delivered.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Over 100 mourners gathered last week around a memorial of flowers and photos to remember two young sisters slain by their father — another in a frustratingly long line of domestic violence tragedies.
—
Sara-James Ranta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for slay
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, the Gaza Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Over 100 mourners gathered last week around a memorial of flowers and photos to remember two young sisters slain by their father — another in a frustratingly long line of domestic violence tragedies.
—
Sara-James Ranta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for slay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slay
Verb
-
The mother of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Manhattan is demanding justice for her son.
-
The one-two punch wreaked massive destruction throughout the region, killing at least 235 and wounding more than 4,300.
Verb
-
Martin Sheen is the Army captain tasked with going on a secret mission to Cambodia to assassinate a special forces officer (Marlon Brando) who's gone rogue and might actually be nuts.
-
Louis Farrakhan, who is now 93, stepped into the organization’s leadership vacuum shortly after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.
Verb
-
The most common type of dementia, which destroys memory and cognitive function, was responsible for 116,022 deaths in 2024, NCHS data shows.
-
That book is a revenge fantasy about the former art school professor who seduced her, discarded her and destroyed her confidence as a painter.
Verb
-
The couple is accused of conspiring to murder Agarwal in an attempt to continue their romance.
-
Nothing about intent—intent pertains to murder in its several degrees.
Verb
-
Colombia’s goal wasn’t perfectly executed but was delivered with emphasis.
-
On Wednesday, July 1, investigators executed a search warrant at the pair's residence on the 2400 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive in Plainfield, where both suspects were taken into custody.
Cite this Entry
“Slay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slay. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
