Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

deathly

[deth-lee] / ˈdɛθ li /
ADJECTIVE
suggesting end of life
Synonyms
WEAK
appalling cadaverous corpselike deathlike defunctive dreadful gaunt ghastly grim gruesome haggard horrible macabre pale pallid wan wasted
Antonyms
WEAK
animated beginning benign blooming blossoming harmless healthful healthy life-giving lively strengthening
ADJECTIVE
fatal
Synonyms
WEAK
deadly extreme intense lethal mortal mortiferous noxious pestilent pestilential terrible
Antonyms
WEAK
animated beginning benign blooming blossoming harmless healthful healthy life-giving lively strengthening

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.

Lawren Babek had three cats when she went on a first date in 2008 with a man who said he was deathly allergic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

The atmosphere among those who came to mourn the tragedy was deathly quiet.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

He could have been totally fine, or he could have gotten deathly ill.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2025

As he struggled with a system, which aimed to preserve secrecy and deepen separation, he didn’t know about a deathly further dimension to the institutional inhumanity.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2025

It was nearly four in the morning, and the deathly stillness of the grounds felt as though they were holding their breath, waiting to see whether he could do what he must.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling