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
Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Police sources say the stabbing was motivated by a love triangle involving the two victims and the killer.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
The Wild’s penalty-killers pounced, starting a rush the other way that ended with Marcus Foligno beating Scott Wedgewood for a 5-4 Wild lead — Minnesota’s third straight goal and its third of the period.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Serial killers, a favorite of the genre, are exceptionally rare.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for killer
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Noun
Suspect Cole Tomas Allen was confined to a padded cell with constant lighting and repeatedly strip-searched; the judge noted the jail houses convicted killers without such restrictions.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Police sources say the stabbing was motivated by a love triangle involving the two victims and the killer.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
The Wild’s penalty-killers pounced, starting a rush the other way that ended with Marcus Foligno beating Scott Wedgewood for a 5-4 Wild lead — Minnesota’s third straight goal and its third of the period.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
Serial killers, a favorite of the genre, are exceptionally rare.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 May 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 5 May. 2026.
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