deadliest

ADJECTIVE

causing end of life

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bloody carcinogenic cruel dangerous destructive fatal harmful lethal malignant mortal murderous noxious pernicious poisonous savage suicidal toxic violent virulent

WEAK

baleful baneful bloodthirsty cannibalistic death-dealing deathly deleterious destroying grim homicidal injurious internecine killing mortiferous pestiferous pestilent pestilential ruthless slaying unrelenting venomous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

benign calm gentle harmless healthy helpful kind life-giving nice nonpoisonous wholesome

WEAK

animating energizing healthful invigorating lively

ADJECTIVE

ghostly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ghastly

WEAK

ashen corpselike dead deadened deathful deathlike deathly pallid wan white

Antonyms

WEAK

animating energizing harmless healthful healthy invigorating lively wholesome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

DR Congo's deadliest outbreak was between 2018 and 2020, during which nearly 2,300 people died.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Victor Lemus, Joshua Kelley-Eklund and William Osborn and marking the department’s deadliest incident in more than 150 years.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

“That a name evocative of Disneyland has been applied to a depopulated, decimated swath of Ukrainian coal-and-steel country could appear jarring as Europe’s deadliest fighting since World War II continues to rage,” they wrote.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

Diplomatic efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II are at a standstill with US mediation efforts diverted by the outbreak of the Middle East war in February.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

It was impossible to tell whether Torak’s father had been his best friend or his deadliest enemy.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver