Parricidal

The adjective 'parricidal' describes the act of murdering one's parent or a close relative, or behavior that suggests or could lead to such an act. It can also be used metaphorically to describe actions or forces that undermine or destroy something that one should be loyal to or that is closely associated with a person or group. The term carries a strong moral weight, indicating extreme betrayal and a violation of fundamental human bonds.

Parricidal meaning with examples

• The investigation revealed a dark family history, eventually pointing to the young heir's parricidal motives driven by greed and resentment. The detectives meticulously pieced together the evidence, revealing a carefully planned plot to inherit the family fortune, motivated by the accused's escalating debt and feelings of neglect.
• Critics described the leader's policies as parricidal to the nation's founding principles, arguing that they were dismantling the very foundations of the country's institutions. The proposed changes threatened core tenets of justice and equality, causing widespread dissent from the established order. The government justified its actions by claiming the old values were archaic.
• Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' is a tragedy that explores the psychological turmoil of a prince grappling with the discovery of his father's parricidal murder and the subsequent actions he takes to seek revenge. This creates a complex exploration of revenge, sanity, and the destructive nature of grief and vengeance. The play explores these motifs with compelling and gripping imagery.
• The cultural revolution was seen by some as a parricidal attempt to erase the country's rich history and tradition in the name of progress. The policies aimed to tear down established norms and traditional values, replacing them with new ideologies. The goal of the revolution was ultimately the reshaping of social identity.
• The character's actions, betraying those who had trusted and supported him, were described as parricidal to his friends and mentors. His calculated deception had a shattering effect on relationships. The decision caused the collapse of the community, with broken trust and resentment that would likely never mend.