deathly

adjective

ˈdeth-lē How to pronounce deathly (audio)
Definition of deathlynext
1
as in deadly
of, relating to, or suggestive of death his deathly pallor suggested that any attempt to find a pulse would be futile

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death smallpox is one deathly disease that medical science has been able to conquer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deathly The deathly avalanche between Camp 2 and Camp 3 always scared me. — Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2025 Henry once again takes a deathly blow to his reputation, but escapes real consequences, now back living a cozy life as a lord. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026 For all of those thousands of collegiate Olympians past and present, the roar of the football crowd will be drowned out by the deathly silence of their shuttered programs. — Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2024 Californians must rise and reclaim our Golden State from the deathly and devastating grip of endless bureaucratic cancer. — Stepheny Price, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025 Despite the deathly dangers of fentanyl contamination, hard drug use has been enjoying record increases in Hollywood and beyond not seen since the hard-partying ’80s. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025 Despite its deathly reputation, Mount Baldy is oftentimes neither a particularly precarious mountain nor an especially treacherous trail. — Outside, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deathly
  1. deadly
  2. lethal
  3. mortal
  4. fatal
  5. dead
Adjective
  • When the Guadalupe River surged through Texas Hill Country last summer, Elida Sierra Lutz and her three children were swept into the deadly flooding like debris in the current.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Written and directed by YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film, made for $750,000, tells a twisted tale of love with deadly consequences.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of deadly
Adjective
  • The theory is that individuals became infected by a strain that was particularly lethal to the young through close contact with marmots (rodents that are known reservoirs of the plague), perhaps while butchering them.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
  • Hubris and risk aversion make for a lethal cocktail in high-level professional sports.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of lethal
Adjective
  • Antinous is the principal mortal antagonist in Homer’s Odyssey.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 July 2026
  • In 2026, with global biodiversity in mortal danger, the Galápagos aren’t just a cradle of incredible variation.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
Definition of mortal
Adjective
  • Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • The Grand Prairie Police Department is investigating a fatal crash in which a passenger vehicle hit a pedestrian.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • There were no signs of rodents at any businesses during this inspection period, but dead roaches were found at Conservatory at Plano, at 6401 Ohio Drive.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of dead

Browse Nearby Words

deathless
deathly
deaths
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Cite this Entry

“Deathly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deathly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deathly

Nglish: Translation of deathly for Spanish Speakers

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