as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people
all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to massacre
to kill on a large scale
modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slaughter
William Hartung, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The deadliest so far was the mass slaughter at a Hanukkah party on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December, but perhaps only luck and good police work have prevented an even worse atrocity on American soil.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
ABC News, 3 June 2026
But that isn't the only animal trauma that's stuck with me through the years, a fact that I was reminded of when watching episode 4 of Dutton Ranch and listening to cows scream as they were slaughtered.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaughter
Noun
But this would require a more discriminating choice of clients, to avoid aiding wars like Saudi Arabia’s brutal campaign in Yemen or Israel’s mass slaughter in Gaza.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The deadliest so far was the mass slaughter at a Hanukkah party on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December, but perhaps only luck and good police work have prevented an even worse atrocity on American soil.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
Verb
The animal was originally meant to be slaughtered for the Muslim festival of sacrifice.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
But that isn't the only animal trauma that's stuck with me through the years, a fact that I was reminded of when watching episode 4 of Dutton Ranch and listening to cows scream as they were slaughtered.
—Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaughter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaughter
Noun
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Smiley Martin died in 2024 in Sacramento County Main Jail awaiting trial in the massacre.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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Six years later, 49 people were killed and and more than 50 were injured on June 12, 2016, in the Orlando, Florida, massacre at Pulse, a nightclub popular with LGBTQ+ men of color.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Similiar incidents Last week in Baltimore City, a 15-year-old boy turned himself in to police, confessing to murdering another 15-year-old earlier this year.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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Thirty years after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, Jose's former business partner still questions what led to the killings.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaughter. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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