premeditated murder

USAGE SUMMARY

"premeditated murder" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a crime that has been deliberately planned in advance. Example: After a lengthy trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of premeditated murder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cruz is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

The Washington Post

He has been booked on 17 counts of premeditated murder.

The Washington Post

Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.

The Washington Post

Mr. Jamison is charged with first-degree, or premeditated, murder.

The New York Times

Pistorius was arrested shortly after and appeared in court today, charged with premeditated murder.

Independent

Prosecutors accused him of killing her in an act of premeditated murder.

The New York Times

Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years in prison for torture and premeditated murder.

Independent

Prosecutors accuse Mr Pistorius of premeditated murder.

BBC

No evidence of premeditated murder says his lawyer.

BBC

If anything, his client should be charged with culpable homicide, not premeditated murder, the lawyer argued.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's not 'belt-­tightening' – that's ­premeditated ­murder by strangulation".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "premeditated murder" in legal contexts, ensure you understand the specific legal definition within the relevant jurisdiction, as interpretations can vary.

Common error

Do not use "premeditated murder" interchangeably with terms like manslaughter or second-degree murder. "Premeditation" specifically implies a prior intent to kill, which distinguishes it from other forms of homicide.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "premeditated murder" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a crime deliberately planned in advance. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "premeditated murder" is a crucial legal term, denoting a homicide that involves prior planning and intent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. Commonly found in news and legal contexts, it is essential to understand its specific legal definition and avoid confusion with other degrees of homicide. Related phrases like "first-degree murder" and "planned homicide" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. When writing about this topic, always verify jurisdictional legal definitions and prioritize accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first-degree murder

More specific legal term implying intent and planning.

deliberate homicide

Focuses on the deliberate nature of the act.

planned homicide

Focuses on the planning aspect of the crime.

calculated assassination

Emphasizes planning and targeting of a specific victim.

intentional killing

Emphasizes the intent behind the act.

prearranged murder

Focuses on the arrangement aspect of the crime.

cold-blooded killing

Highlights the lack of emotion and calculation involved.

willful murder

Highlights the willful nature of the act.

malice aforethought

A legal term referring to the intent to kill.

purposeful killing

Stresses that killing was the primary purpose.

FAQs

How is "premeditated murder" different from other types of homicide?

"Premeditated murder" involves a deliberate plan to kill someone, setting it apart from manslaughter (accidental killing) and other forms of homicide that lack prior intent. "First-degree murder" is often used interchangeably.

What are some synonyms for "premeditated murder"?

Alternatives include "planned homicide", "intentional killing", or "cold-blooded killing", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the crime.

What evidence is needed to prove "premeditated murder"?

Prosecutors typically need to show evidence of planning, motive, and intent. This might include written plans, statements made by the perpetrator, or actions taken before the killing that demonstrate a deliberate intent.

In which contexts is the term "premeditated murder" most often used?

The term is commonly used in legal proceedings, news reports covering criminal cases, and academic discussions of criminal law. It is a formal and precise term used when discussing serious crimes.