baby-killer

noun

An abortionist (all senses).

Meanings

nounbaby-killer (plural baby-killers)

plural baby-killers · alternative babykiller · alternative baby killer

  1. derogatoryslangAn abortionist (all senses).

    He promised to protect and serve "even a baby killer like yourself," but also to do everything in his office's power "to assist the protesters who wish to protect the misguided mothers who come to your clinic of death."

    1999, Charisma and Christian Life, volume 24, numbers 6-11, page 38
  2. derogatoryslangA pregnant woman who receives an abortion.
  3. datedderogatoryslangA Vietnam War veteran.
  4. derogatoryslangA member or veteran of the US military or the Israeli Army.
  5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see baby, killer.

    The following named soothing-syrups commonly given to children during their teething period have been proclaimed by the United States government chemists as “baby killers;” and the public is hereby warned against the use of any of these preparations for children […]

    1911, Michigan's Health, volumes 6-7, page 90

Origin

The Vietnam War veteran usage stems from the My Lai massacre (1968), in which hundreds of civilians, including infants, were massacred.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

baby-killer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer

MLA

“baby-killer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “baby-killer,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/baby-killer.

Source: baby-killer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.