slaying

1 of 2

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

slaying

2 of 2

present participle of slay

Synonyms of slaying

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Noun

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Examples of slaying in a Sentence

Noun a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
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Noun
Roberts was arrested almost a month after the slaying on June 14, 2019. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Two others involved in the slaying received lesser sentences — one who was 17 at the time and another who testified on behalf of the state as part of a plea deal. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 At that hearing, prosecutors noted that Nunnally was suspected of a third slaying, but noted he hadn’t been charged with that case at the time. — William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 The ambush-style slaying, carried out in broad daylight, rattled law enforcement and the surrounding Palmdale community. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slaying

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for slaying

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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