How to say "slay" in Japanese

• 殺すころすJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe general word for killing: it covers 'kill', 'murder', 'slaughter', and 'slay' alike, whatever the means. For 'slay' in the plain sense of causing death, this is the default choice.
  おまえはオレを殺ころそうとしている。↗

  You are trying to kill me.
• 打ち取るうちとるCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'slay' in the sense of killing with a weapon: it evokes striking an enemy down in combat. Think of a warrior slaying a foe in battle rather than an unweaponed killing.

Use 「殺す」 for killing in general, covering murder and slaughter as well; choose 「打ち取る」 when the killing is done with a weapon, striking an enemy down in combat.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 殺すころすto kill
• 打ち取るうちとるto kill (with a weapon)
• 切り伏せるきりふせるto slay
• 討ち果たすうちはたすto slay
• 切り殺すきりころすto kill with a sword (knife, dagger, etc.)
• 打ち止めるうちとめるto kill (with a gun, sword, etc.)
• 切って捨てるきってすてるto cut (someone) down
• 切り捨てるきりすてるto cut (someone) down