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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of martyr
Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Until that point, no other Afghan leader had ever martyred a son, adopted or otherwise, signifying how values were changing.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2022
The Know, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Old-style bodhisattvas share space with contemporary political martyrs and whistle-blowers.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
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
Until that point, no other Afghan leader had ever martyred a son, adopted or otherwise, signifying how values were changing.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2022
Noun
This man is the stuff from whom saints, martyrs and superheroes are made.
—The Know, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Old-style bodhisattvas share space with contemporary political martyrs and whistle-blowers.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Everyone will be tested and, as the stakes rise, the betrayals, sacrifices and conflicting agendas will become profound.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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While most old soldiers, like Karl Malden's superb, empathetic Gen. Omar Bradley, absorb the senseless loss of life of war with regret and resolve that the sacrifice was necessary, Scott's Patton reveals the darker side of humanity that craves conflict, that lives for it.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Caro Quintero and others then allegedly sought revenge, kidnapping Salazar and torturing him, before killing him.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Rami’s unhappy family splinters over love and politics; an opponent of both the monarchy and Saddam Hussein in the 1950s and 1960s, Rami is imprisoned and tortured, eventually escaping to gain asylum in France.—
Lisa Anderson,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Health care reform always creates winners and losers.—
Caitlin Owens,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
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Monthly winners and losers: This brings us to our February winners and losers.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But physical ailments were only part of what tormented him.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2025
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Overwhelmed with raising her younger brother and frustrated from the lack of help from middle sibling Dre, Calla is tormented by nightmares of both her brothers dying.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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Watching, Emily grows anguished at her mother’s distraction.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rwanda has claimed the Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda.—
CHINEDU ASADU,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the U.S. government persecuted people of being communists.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As the title hints, the relationship was plagued with disagreements, and the artist soon abandoned her original idea for a collaboration with the organization.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
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How to tackle money problems right now Besides taxes, inflation is plaguing Americans' money worries.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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