plural slayings
: 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
Peter SteinHe is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …—Joseph P. Fried
Joseph P. FriedExamples of slaying in a Sentence
a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Jimmy Kimmel saw his late-night show temporarily suspended following his comments about Kirk’s slaying, prompting outcry among the public over free speech concerns.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Whether its gathering in a church basement on a Friday night or at a picnic table after a spring morning of slaying crappie, a perfect fish fry brings people together.
—Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026
As terror and confusion tore through the small community about 30 miles north of New Orleans, and Sharp’s family and friends tried to make sense of the brutal slaying, detectives worked tirelessly to find her killer — or killers.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
It’s been almost seven years since Victoria Barrios, 18, was shot and killed, and her slaying has maintained a high profile in the city.
—Gabriel San Román, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaying
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Paris Barraza, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Whether its gathering in a church basement on a Friday night or at a picnic table after a spring morning of slaying crappie, a perfect fish fry brings people together.
—Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026
As terror and confusion tore through the small community about 30 miles north of New Orleans, and Sharp’s family and friends tried to make sense of the brutal slaying, detectives worked tirelessly to find her killer — or killers.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
It’s been almost seven years since Victoria Barrios, 18, was shot and killed, and her slaying has maintained a high profile in the city.
—Gabriel San Román, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaying
Cite this Entry
“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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