ENGLISH
REFERENCE

murderous

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɝdɝəs// UK //mˈɜːdəɹəs// mur·der·ous

adj. describing someone who wants to kill, or something that is very dangerous and likely to cause death.

adj. having the intent or capability to kill; extremely dangerous or lethal in nature. Often used figuratively to describe intense heat, pressure, or a look of extreme anger.


SIMPLE

The criminal gave the witness a murderous look.

CONTEXTUAL

The soldiers had to march for ten miles through the murderous heat of the desert afternoon.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's internal monologue reveals a murderous intent that contrasts sharply with his calm, professional exterior throughout the first act of the play.

Synonyms
Origin

From murder + -ous (suffix forming adjectives from nouns denoting possession or presence of a quality).

Usage

Can be used literally for people or figuratively for inanimate conditions like weather or pace.

Pitfall

He was a murder personHe was a murderous personLearners often use the noun 'murder' as an adjective instead of the correct adjectival form 'murderous'.

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