ENGLISH
REFERENCE

murdered

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈmɝdɝd// UK //mˈɜːdəd// mur·dered

v. to kill someone on purpose and against the law. It is used for a planned or intentional act of violence.

v. to kill a human being unlawfully and with premeditated malice. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The king was murdered by his own guards.

CONTEXTUAL

Police believe the victim was murdered late Saturday night after leaving the restaurant alone.

COMPLEX

The historical drama explores the political fallout that occurs when a popular leader is murdered by those closest to him in a bid for power.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and typically used in the passive voice when the perpetrator is unknown.

Pitfall

He was murdered in a car accident.He was killed in a car accident.Murdered implies a deliberate, illegal act of killing; for accidents or natural causes, use 'killed' or 'died'.

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