criminal killing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal killing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing unlawful homicides or acts of violence. Example: "The investigation focused on the motives behind the criminal killing." Alternative expressions include "homicidal act" and "murderous act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

More clearly, they are a wanton and criminal killing spree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, many are left wondering what sort of behavior truly constitutes a criminal killing in law enforcement.

Huffington Post

Tougher penalties, mandatory destruction of illegal ivory and better training of police and prosecutors are needed to combat trophy hunting and the organised criminal killing of rhinos, elephants and other wildlife for profit, say MEPs in a resolution voted on Wednesday 15th January 2014.

European Parliament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Why? Through the first five years of his presidency, Calderon offered a simple answer: 90percentt of the killings related to the "drug war" were criminals killing each other.

Los Angeles Times

They are beautiful, but also hiding places for the criminals killing the elephants.

Huffington Post

THE Haitian government wants Michèle Montas to believe that common criminals killed her husband, Jean Dominique.

The New York Times

The criminals killed two people, though the churning rumor mill put the number as high as 11.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dead criminals — killed by one another or the police — fires, gruesome accidents and other catastrophes were his initial subjects.

The New York Times - Arts

"We cannot let violent criminals kill witnesses against them in order to derail the criminal justice process," Senator Hatch said.

The New York Times

The criminals killed my family, and I don't know where my children are, whether they're dead or alive.

The New York Times

Public indignation meeting held at Madison Square Garden in protests of street fights in which criminals kill each other, cops, and innocent citizens.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criminal killing", ensure the context clearly establishes the unlawful nature of the act. This phrase is best suited for legal or journalistic contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "criminal killing" in everyday conversation. Simpler terms like "murder" or "homicide" are more appropriate for informal settings. "Criminal killing" carries a formal tone suitable for legal or journalistic discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal killing" functions as a noun phrase where "criminal" acts as an adjective modifying "killing". It denotes an act of taking a life that is unlawful and punishable by law. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criminal killing" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an unlawful act of homicide. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not frequently used (frequency: Rare), it's suitable for formal contexts such as legal documents, news reports, and academic discussions. Alternative phrases like "unlawful homicide" or "illegal slaying" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Its function is to classify a killing as illegal, emphasizing its legal consequences. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media, formal business, and wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful homicide

Emphasizes the illegal nature of the killing.

illegal slaying

Focuses on the act of killing being against the law.

criminal homicide

A more formal and legalistic term for unlawful killing.

wrongful death

Highlights the injustice and legal implications of the killing.

murderous act

Emphasizes the intentional and malicious nature of the killing.

homicidal crime

Highlights the criminal aspect of the act of homicide.

felonious killing

Highlights that the killing is a serious crime.

unjustified killing

Focuses on the lack of justification for the act.

culpable homicide

Emphasizes the blameworthiness of the act, especially in legal contexts.

criminal act resulting in death

A broader phrase encompassing killings that occur as a result of other criminal activities.

FAQs

How is "criminal killing" different from "murder"?

"Criminal killing" is a broader term that encompasses any unlawful taking of a life, while "murder" typically implies malice aforethought. Therefore, all murders are criminal killings, but not all criminal killings are murders. An example of a situation that is a criminal killing but not a murder, is manslaughter.

What are some alternatives to "criminal killing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unlawful homicide", "illegal slaying", or "murder".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "criminal killing"?

The phrase "criminal killing" is appropriate in legal documents, news reports, and academic discussions where the specific nature of the killing as a crime needs to be emphasized.

Is "criminal killing" a formal or informal term?

"Criminal killing" is a formal term. It is used in professional contexts, news reports, or legal documents. Simpler terms like "killing" or "murder" are more appropriate for informal settings.