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deadly

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective deadly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deadly are fatal, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would fatal be a good substitute for deadly?

In some situations, the words fatal and deadly are roughly equivalent. However, fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is lethal a more appropriate choice than deadly?

While in some cases nearly identical to deadly, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When could mortal be used to replace deadly?

The synonyms mortal and deadly are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deadly
Adjective
Saturday's incident comes just two months after an American Airlines plane collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter above the Potomac River in a deadly crash that killed 67 people. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 Friday’s quake was the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in years and comes as Myanmar reels from a civil war that since 2021 has damaged communication networks, battered health infrastructure and left millions without adequate food and shelter. Brad Lendon and Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Climate woes are stacking up in the wake of such extreme heat, with widespread flooding killing thousands across Africa, deadly landslides burying villages in Asia, and drought in South America shrinking rivers. Reuters, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2024 Widespread malnutrition after a year of dwindling food supplies is another factor making this winter deadly. Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deadly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadly
Adjective
  • When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Astronauts on a mission to Mars lasting several years would be exposed to potentially lethal amounts of radiation, Pitts said.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the sheer volume of options in our modern world—especially in digital spheres such as online shopping, streaming services and mobile applications—can overcome the satisfaction of making these choices.
    Uriel Maslansky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But sheer athleticism won’t turn him into a celebrity, and his demeanor doesn’t endear him to people—Majors plays Maddox as a sullen and tightly wound outcast whose environment shapes his isolation.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were the maternal twin sons of Leda, the mortal queen of Sparta.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • For one, these tiny particles are extremely difficult to measure.
    Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Adan's breakup with Dani left him crushed — but also extremely grateful to have had the relationship at all.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Black lung, a debilitating and often fatal condition caused by inhalation of coal and silica dust during mining, affects roughly 1 in 5 miners who have worked in the Central Appalachian mines for twenty-five years or more, according to NIOSH.
    Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The day of the fatal fall, Goodwin said Bass had checked on Tidus and his brother minutes prior, and then had stepped outside with the dog.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While Ukraine agreed to all U.S. proposals for an unconditional ceasefire and subsequently agreed to plans for a smaller-scale maritime ceasefire, the Russians laid out last week a series of new demands, including the lifting of some U.S. sanctions.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The themes of the game were unconditional love and revenge, which is in line with the series as well.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Matthew Terrell Collins Sr., 58, and Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., 29, were pronounced dead at the scene around 6:06 p.m.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • On the second day of the year, police responded to a call where a father and his son and daughter were found dead.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • More Pro Wrestling: Pro Wrestling Legend Bret Hart Reacts to Record-Breaking WWE Hall of Fame Induction While there's no doubt that these wrestlers are incredibly talented, there are plenty of other WWE Superstars who are more than capable of carrying on a main event match.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Shilpa loves cake, so what better time to introduce her incredibly springy, tender, and flavorful Pistachio Bundt Cake recipe!
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deadly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadly. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deadly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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