Murdered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Murdered by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing crime, literature, or storytelling, often to indicate the perpetrator of a murder. Example: "The detective uncovered the truth: she had been murdered by her closest friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being murdered by someone.

The New Yorker

Was he murdered by intelligence agents?

The Economist

Two more have been murdered by rivals.

The Economist

He was murdered by his retainers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shiites murdered by Sunnis; Sunnis murdered by Shiites.

The New York Times

— Roger is murdered by Burt Peterson.

The New Yorker

Was Mrs Tilney murdered by her husband?

The Guardian - Books

Thousands were murdered by street thugs.

The New York Times - Books

He was murdered by a revolutionary in 1911.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His girlfriend was murdered by her own family.

Independent

They are murdered by Clytemnestra, not by Aegisthus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "murdered by" when you want to emphasize the intentional and unlawful nature of the killing. It's appropriate in contexts where legal or moral culpability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "murdered by" in situations where death was accidental or due to natural causes. It is more appropriate to use terms like "died from" or "killed by accident" in such instances. For example, use "died from" instead of "murdered by" in situations where death was not intentional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "murdered by" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that someone was the victim of a murder, specifying the agent responsible for the act. Ludwig shows its common usage in indicating a perpetrator or cause in relation to a victim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "murdered by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that someone was intentionally and unlawfully killed by another party. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While "murdered by" is generally neutral in register, its association with crime makes it unsuitable for contexts requiring a gentler tone. For alternatives, consider phrases like "killed by" or "slain by", depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Killed by

A more general term for causing death, which is similar to 'murdered by' but without the implication of intentional unlawful killing.

Slain by

A more literary or archaic term for 'killed by', often used in historical or dramatic contexts.

Was a victim of homicide by

Emphasizes the legal classification of the death as a homicide, indicating that it was caused by another person.

Assassinated by

Specifically indicates a politically motivated murder of a prominent figure.

Victimized by

Highlights the suffering of the victim, with murder being a form of victimization.

Fatally wounded by

Focuses on the injury that led to death, emphasizing the cause of mortality.

Succumbed to injuries inflicted by

Highlights that the death was a result of injuries caused by someone, less direct than 'murdered by'.

Met their death at the hands of

A more formal and elaborate way of saying 'murdered by', emphasizing the agency of the perpetrator.

Lost their life due to

A euphemistic and less direct way to describe being murdered, focusing on the loss of life.

Perished because of

A gentler term for 'died because of', without necessarily implying violence or intent.

FAQs

How can I use "murdered by" in a sentence?

Use "murdered by" to indicate that someone was intentionally and unlawfully killed by another person. For example, "The victim was "murdered by" a close family member".

What can I say instead of "murdered by"?

You can use alternatives like "killed by", "slain by", or "assassinated by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "murdered by" or "killed by"?

"Murdered by" implies an intentional and unlawful killing, while "killed by" is a more general term that can include accidental or unintentional deaths. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "murdered by" and "assassinated by"?

"Murdered by" refers to any unlawful killing with malice aforethought. "Assassinated by" specifically refers to the targeted killing of a prominent person for political reasons.