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meurtre

murder

noun MUHR-truh Less Common

Usage Note

Meurtre specifically refers to intentional killing (murder), distinct from homicide (the broader legal term) or assassinat (premeditated murder with aggravating factors under French law). The agent noun is meurtrier (murderer), which is also an adjective meaning deadly. In everyday French it is the default word for murder in news and crime contexts.

Examples

"Il a été accusé de meurtre."

Natural Translation

He was accused of murder.

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