murdered
word · lemma: murder
Definition
Past form of 'murder'. It means to kill a person intentionally and illegally, or to die because someone killed you on purpose.
Usage & Nuances
A very strong and serious word, usually used for unlawful killing of a person, not animals. Common patterns: 'was murdered', 'murdered by', 'murdered in cold blood'. In informal speech, people may exaggerate with it ('That exam murdered me'), but the literal meaning is highly serious.
Example Sentences
The man was murdered in his home last year.
basic
The police said she was murdered by someone she knew.
basic
A young woman was murdered near the station.
basic
He was murdered in broad daylight, and there were dozens of witnesses.
natural
Everyone in town was shocked when the shop owner was murdered.
natural
She wasn't missing — she had been murdered months earlier.
natural