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
Synonyms
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
David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
Produced by Nick Lowe and featuring over 20 tracks, all killer—no filler!
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 2 Aug. 2024
Gilford, who's currently starring as serial killer Elias Voit on the Paramount+ drama Criminal Minds: Evolution, joined WWHL host Andy Cohen in the Clubhouse Playhouse to recreate an emotional confrontation between Matt Saracen (Gilford) and Coach Taylor (Cohen, stepping in for Kyle Chandler).
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2024
In classic Shyamalan-twist fashion, Cooper is revealed to be a serial killer, called The Butcher, and the concert is actually a police ploy to capture him.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for killer 
Noun
Adar had died while defending Kibbutz Nir Oz; his killers took his body to Gaza, where it is still being held.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024
Produced by Nick Lowe and featuring over 20 tracks, all killer—no filler!
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 2 Aug. 2024
Gilford, who's currently starring as serial killer Elias Voit on the Paramount+ drama Criminal Minds: Evolution, joined WWHL host Andy Cohen in the Clubhouse Playhouse to recreate an emotional confrontation between Matt Saracen (Gilford) and Coach Taylor (Cohen, stepping in for Kyle Chandler).
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2024
In classic Shyamalan-twist fashion, Cooper is revealed to be a serial killer, called The Butcher, and the concert is actually a police ploy to capture him.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for killer
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Killer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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