noun / verb
murder
The unlawful killing of a person with the required criminal intent, or to commit it.
The detective investigates a murder near the city park.
Etymology
Old English morþor named killing or murder. The modern legal sense narrows the act according to the conditions that make a killing criminal murder.
More examples
- She is charged with murder after the investigation.
- The witness saw a man murder his business partner.
- Police believe the two murders are connected.
Forms
murder · murders · murdered · murdering
murderer noun — A person who commits murder.
Similar words
- homicide
- Includes killings that are lawful or lack murderous intent.
- killing
- Describes causing death without necessarily implying a crime.
- assassination
- Specifically targets a prominent person, often for political reasons.