Definition

1. Noun:

   • The unlawful, intentional killing of one human being by another: "Murder" refers specifically to the crime of killing a person with malice aforethought or premeditation.
   • Something very difficult or unpleasant: Informally, "murder" can describe a very difficult or trying situation.

2. Verb:

   • To kill (a human being) unlawfully and with premeditation or malice: The primary meaning is to commit the crime of murder.
   • To spoil or ruin something through incompetence: To perform something very badly, especially a piece of music, a language, or a task.
   • To defeat decisively; to trounce: Used informally in sports or competition.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The detective investigated the brutal murder.
  • That final exam was murder! (informal)

• Verb (to kill unlawfully):

  • The jury found him guilty of murdering his business partner.
  • He was murdered for his political beliefs.

• Verb (to spoil or perform badly):

  • The actor completely murdered the famous soliloquy.
  • I love that song, but the amateur band murdered it.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Murder will out": A proverb meaning a secret crime, especially murder, will eventually be discovered.

  • He thought he had hidden the evidence perfectly, but murder will out.

• "Murder one": (Legal term, chiefly US) First-degree murder, involving premeditation.

  • The charge was upgraded from manslaughter to murder one.

• "Scream/shout blue murder": To protest or complain very loudly and angrily.

  • The customers shouted blue murder when the store raised its prices.

Variants and Related Words

• Murderer (n): A person who commits murder.

  • The murderer was sentenced to life in prison.

• Murderous (adj):

  • Capable of, intending, or involving murder.

    • a murderous attack
  • Extremely difficult or dangerous.

    • murderous heat

• Murderously (adv): In a murderous manner.

  • He glared murderously at his rival.

Synonyms

• Homicide (n): The killing of one person by another (a broader legal term that includes murder and manslaughter).
• Assassinate (v): To murder (a prominent person) by sudden or secret attack.
• Slay (v): To kill violently (literary or journalistic).
• Butcher (v): To kill brutally or indiscriminately (implies cruelty).

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• To get away with murder: To do something very bad without being punished or criticized for it (idiomatic).

  • His parents are so lenient; he gets away with murder.

• To murder in cold blood: To kill someone in a deliberate, unemotional, and cruel way.

  • The victims were murdered in cold blood.

Related Idioms

• Murder on (something): Extremely painful or damaging to.

  • Running a marathon is murder on the knees.

• I could murder a (something): (Informal, British) Used to express a very strong desire for something, especially food or drink.

  • It's been a long day; I could murder a cup of tea.

Noun

1. unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

Verb

1. alter so as to make unrecognizable
   • The tourists murdered the French language
2. kill intentionally and with premeditation
   • The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered