homicidal

adjective

ho·​mi·​cid·​al ˌhä-mə-ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce homicidal (audio) ˌhō- How to pronounce homicidal (audio)
: of, relating to, or tending toward homicide
homicidally adverb

Examples of homicidal in a Sentence

court-appointed psychiatrists have described the accused as a sociopath with homicidal tendencies who is a danger to himself and others
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is a thornier psychological exercise than similar crime drama series, casting focus on both the precision of Paul's homicidal methods and the dedication Stella will require to catch him. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 1 June 2025 Watching the murder scene being filmed upstairs plants homicidal ideas in Fred’s head. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 May 2025 In between those two explosions are several plane crashes, a spate of trigger-happy communist revolutionaries, and a homicidal argument over the profits from a poison gas that has killed more than 10,000 soldiers. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 May 2025 The fact that death itself is the protagonist, rather than some mask-wearing homicidal maniac, is what gives these films their morbid allure. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for homicidal

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homicidal was in 1725

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homicidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicidal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

homicidal

adjective
ho·​mi·​cid·​al ˌhäm-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce homicidal (audio)
ˌhō-mə-
: of, relating to, or having tendencies toward the killing of another person : murderous
homicidally adverb

Medical Definition

homicidal

adjective
ho·​mi·​cid·​al ˌhäm-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce homicidal (audio) ˌhō-mə- How to pronounce homicidal (audio)
: of, relating to, or tending toward homicide
homicidally adverb

Legal Definition

homicidal

adjective
ho·​mi·​ci·​dal ˌhä-mə-ˈsīd-ᵊl, ˌhō- How to pronounce homicidal (audio)
: of, relating to, or tending toward homicide

More from Merriam-Webster on homicidal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!