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
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The name is inspired by the Christian martyr Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those who work with fire or explosive materials.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
His desperate, lacerating Teddy is a character who has ruined his own life, who has martyred himself out of his devotion to The Truth.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Western governments widely viewed her imprisonment as selective justice, a prison sentence that recast her from oligarchic insider into democratic martyr.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The name is inspired by the Christian martyr Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those who work with fire or explosive materials.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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Mobs attacked television vans and set cars ablaze as overrun hospitals struggled to cope with scores of injured people.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This matter will need to be investigated in order to bring Justice to all who are responsible for human and animal sacrifices intended for a ceremonial sacrifice by shipping five Texas red heifers for construction of a Third Temple in Jerusalem.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Expect mild redness and a sandpaper-like texture for several days; small sacrifices for a complexion that steals the spotlight.—
Elycia Rubin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For years he was tortured, and finally released in 1973.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
-
He’s not tortured in any way — the only person that’s holding him back is himself.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some software companies have emerged as potential AI losers, while hardware companies (think semiconductor chipmakers) continue to be AI winners.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The 19th through 32nd picks in each round were decided by playoff results — teams eliminated in the wild-card round were placed into slots 19-24, divisional-round losers into picks 25-28, and so on.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the dogs are now safe with foster families, Holmes faces multiple charges, including confining an animal without sufficient food or water, keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and tormenting or depriving an animal.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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For his work as the brilliant but deeply tormented London detective Luther, Elba won a Critics’ Choice Television Award, as well as a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Morgan’s childhood was filled with anguishing losses.—
Sam McDowell
February 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
-
First, Monty Miller (a suave, anguished Jon Hamm), Tommy’s lifelong friend and billionaire founder of M-Tex, dies suddenly, but not before naming the fixer as the new company president.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Secret Agent’s primary setting is a house full of misfits and refugees in the northeastern city of Recife, a safe harbor from those persecuted by the country’s military regime, ruled over by the inimitable Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria, whose role was written specifically for her).—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
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His previously peaceful world had been shattered when Vilna was occupied by the German army three months before and soon the Germans began to persecute and arrest Jews.—
Dr. Michael Good,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Christie has been one of the most consistent Mavericks in a season plagued by inconsistency.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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