Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who commits murder: A "murderer" is an individual who unlawfully and intentionally kills another human being. The act is typically premeditated (planned in advance).

Usage

• The word "murderer" is a strong, specific legal and moral term. It is used to label someone found guilty of the crime of murder.
• It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• It often appears in news reports, legal contexts, crime stories, and discussions of morality.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The jury found the defendant guilty, and he was sentenced as a murderer.
  • Police are searching for the murderer who committed the crime last night.
  • In the novel, the identity of the murderer is a mystery until the final chapter.

Advanced Usage

• "Convicted murderer": Specifies a person who has been found guilty of murder in a court of law.
  • The convicted murderer will appeal the sentence.
• "Mass murderer": Refers to a person who kills many people, typically in a single incident or over a short period.
  • The history books detail the atrocities of the infamous mass murderer.

Variants and Related Words

• Murder (n/v): The act of unlawfully killing someone. (e.g., / )
• Murderous (adj): Having the intent or capability to murder; very dangerous or violent. (e.g., )
• Homicide (n): The killing of one person by another (a broader legal term that includes murder, manslaughter, etc.).

Synonyms

• Killer: A more general term for someone who kills. (Note: "Killer" can be used in broader contexts, including animals, accidents, or warfare, whereas "murderer" strongly implies criminal, unlawful homicide.)
• Assassin: A murderer, typically one who kills a prominent person for political or monetary reasons.

Related Phrases

• "Murderer's row": (Idiom, historical/baseball) Originally referred to a group of deadly hitters in a baseball lineup. It can metaphorically describe any formidable group.
  • The middle of their batting order is a real murderer's row.
• "Get away with murder": (Idiom) To do something very bad without being punished or criticized for it.
  • That child is so spoiled; he gets away with murder.

Noun

1. a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)