killing crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "killing crossword clue", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, complete with explanations, to help you complete your puzzle and deepen your understanding of wordplay.
Solutions for "killing crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
FATAL: Causing death; destructive.
6 Letters
LETHAL: Sufficient to cause death.
7 Letters
SLAYING: The act of killing or causing death.
8 Letters
DELETION: The act of removing or erasing something completely.
9 Letters
HOMICIDAL: Related to or tending towards homicide (the killing of one human by another).
More About "killing crossword clue"
The clue "killing" is a fascinating example of how crosswords utilize polysemy – words with multiple meanings. While its most immediate interpretation relates to taking a life, in the world of puzzles, it can extend to figurative "killing" or termination. This includes 'killing time', 'killing a bill' (vetoing it), or 'killing a story' (suppressing it). Understanding these nuances is key to cracking such clues.
Crossword setters love to play with these broader interpretations. For instance, 'killing' might lead to answers like DELETION, CANCELLING, or even an adjective describing something extremely difficult or exhausting, like GRUELING or DEMANDING. Always consider the context, the part of speech indicated by the surrounding puzzle, and the letter count to determine which sense of "killing" the setter intends.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Part of Speech: Is "killing" used as a noun, verb, or adjective in the context of the puzzle? This significantly narrows down potential answers.
- Consider Figurative Meanings: Beyond the literal, think about phrases where "killing" implies removal, termination, or extreme difficulty.
- Look at Intersecting Clues: The letters revealed by crossing words are your best friends. Use them to confirm or rule out potential solutions.
- Check for Synonyms: Brainstorm synonyms for "killing" and its related concepts, then try to match them to the required letter count.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can 'killing' be interpreted in a crossword clue?
The clue 'killing' can have multiple meanings in crosswords. It can refer to physical death (e.g., SLAYING, FATAL), the act of eliminating something (e.g., DELETION, ERASURE), or even to something exceptionally difficult or exhaustive (e.g., grueling, exhausting). Context from surrounding clues or known letter counts is crucial.
What's the best way to approach a 'killing' related clue if I'm stuck?
First, consider common synonyms for 'killing' in both its literal and figurative senses. Check the number of letters required. If you have some letters filled in from intersecting words, use those to narrow down possibilities. Think about different parts of speech – is it a noun (the act of killing), an adjective (causing death), or a verb (to kill)?
Are there common prefixes or suffixes for 'killing' answers?
While not universal, look for patterns. Words ending in '-ING' (SLAYING, HARMING) often signify the act. Adjectives might end in '-AL' (FATAL, LETHAL) or '-OUS' (MURDEROUS, HOMICIDAL). Keeping an eye on common endings can sometimes give you a hint when combined with letter counts.