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 historical events where the act of murder is being described along with the perpetrator. Example: "The detective revealed that the victim was murdered by a close acquaintance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

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

Dreadfully murdered by a woman's hand.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They are being murdered by the postmodernists.

Princeton University

Wasn't she murdered by her lover?..

Columbia University

Becket was then murdered by four knights.

The Washington Post

Mekhloufi was eventually murdered by Islamist rivals.

The Guardian

Aethelbald was murdered by his own household.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "murdered by", ensure the context clearly indicates intent and unlawful killing. Avoid using it in ambiguous situations where the cause of death is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "murdered by" when the cause of death is accidental or unclear. Stick to neutral terms like "killed by" or "died due to" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "murdered by" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something was the victim of a deliberate killing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for describing instances of intentional homicide.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "murdered by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that someone was intentionally and unlawfully killed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for formal and neutral registers, commonly appearing in news reports, academic texts, and encyclopedia entries. While alternatives like "killed by" or "slain by" exist, "murdered by" specifically emphasizes the intent behind the act. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates intent to avoid ambiguity and maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

killed by

This is a direct synonym, replacing "murdered" with the more general term "killed".

slain by

This alternative provides a more formal or archaic tone compared to "murdered".

assassinated by

This term specifies the killing of a prominent figure, often for political reasons.

done to death by

Emphasizes the violent and often brutal nature of the killing.

met their death at the hands of

This phrase uses more formal language to describe the act of being killed.

was a victim of

Focuses on the person who died and the act they suffered, rather than the perpetrator.

lost their life because of

This phrase softens the bluntness of "murdered", focusing on the loss of life.

had their life taken by

This is a gentler, more passive way of expressing the act of killing.

perished at the hands of

Similar to "met their death", this offers a formal and slightly archaic alternative.

was fatally attacked by

This highlights the attack that led to the death, rather than explicitly stating murder.

FAQs

What is the difference between "murdered by" and "killed by"?

"Murdered by" implies intentional and unlawful killing, while "killed by" is a more general term that can include accidents or justifiable homicides. Use "murdered by" when intent is clear.

What are some alternatives to "murdered by"?

Alternatives include "slain by", "assassinated by" (for prominent figures), or "met their death at the hands of" depending on the context and desired tone.

Is "murdered by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "murdered by" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction. It follows the standard English sentence structure for indicating the perpetrator of a murder.

When should I use "murdered by" instead of other phrases?

Use "murdered by" when you want to emphasize the intentional and unlawful nature of the killing and highlight the role of the perpetrator. Avoid it when the cause of death is uncertain or accidental.