as in to attack
to kill (someone) for refusing to give up a belief or cause
—usually used as (be) martyred
He was martyred for his religious beliefs.
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Recent Examples of martyr
Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024
In the years since, Peanut’s various costumes and antics, including jumping through hoops and eating waffles, have earned him hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, per Social Blade — even before he was martyred.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Marylou Costa, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
The skeletal remains of two saints martyred in Rome more than 1,800 years ago are on display at the front of the church, encased in illuminated glass tombs.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024
In the years since, Peanut’s various costumes and antics, including jumping through hoops and eating waffles, have earned him hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, per Social Blade — even before he was martyred.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
To enjoy Rome away from the Jubilee crowds, Shaw recommends visiting The Catacombs of Rome, which are underground burial grounds that contain crypts of notable popes and martyrs.
—Marylou Costa, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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The Ash People, who bear red headdresses and have ash smeared across their faces, then attack Jake and Neytiri with a barrage of flaming arrows.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Their sacrifices and bravery were foundational to the nation’s independence, and acknowledging their stories ensures a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of American history.—
Will Minter,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2025
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There were also animal sacrifices that involved smell.—
James Doubek,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The six defendants allegedly began holding a man against his will on March 14 and proceeded to torture him at a Red Roof Inn in Maumee, Ohio, according to an arrest warrant.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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He was detained, tortured with electric shock shock and suffocation.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Zuckerberg topped the list of the biggest losers by dollars, down $17.9 billion as Meta shares took a hit in the sell-off.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The Heat — as the ninth-place team — would host the Bulls in this game if the current standings hold, with the loser of this matchup eliminated from playoff contention.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Philharmonic, after banning Mahler during the Nazi period, had played his great, tangled, tormented later symphonies only a few times.—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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Many of them would remember when the 17th Street Causeway had a draw bridge that tormented drivers, rising frequently for huge sailboats parading out to the Atlantic while locals were just trying to get to Publix.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Others will be anguishing over Irving (John Turturro) and Burt (Christopher Walken), whose respective and collective fates weren’t addressed at all.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Mar. 2025
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And yet, the film has a pretty expert ensemble — Kevin Spacey won the Oscar, but Annette Bening was even more deserving — and Conrad Hall’s photography captures all the shiny surfaces that contrast with the characters’ anguished inner worlds.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Roman authorities persecuted Christians harshly, subjecting them to torture and deaths even more gruesome than crucifixion.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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The former president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and says he's being politically persecuted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The community support comes at an apartment complex that both residents say is plagued with drugs and violence.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2025
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The firm works heavily with the community surrounding the market and carries a mission to identify and establish alternatives to the pitfalls plaguing fashion’s current business model including overproduction and greenwashing.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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