bloodletting

noun

blood·​let·​ting ˈbləd-ˌle-tiŋ 

1

: phlebotomy

2

: bloodshed

3

: elimination of personnel or resources

4

: severe criticism

Take the English, the undisputed champions at verbal bloodletting.

—Bill Ott

: a harsh verbal or written attack

But what makes "Cinderella & Company" more than just a book-length bloodletting is Hoelterhoff's unexpected sympathy for most of the singers about whom she writes.

—Terry Teachout

Examples of bloodletting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the White House is attempting to stem the political bloodletting, particularly in these red states, amid discussions regarding diesel export restrictions after a beef tariff suspension announcement in August. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026

Rachel Kaly is one of them and ‘Hospital Hour’ is her first big bloodletting. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Belief in the efficacy of bloodletting was well-established and undisputed until well into the 1800s. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

So, his doctors treated him with standard therapies of the day, which included enemas and bloodletting. — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bloodletting

• abetting
• begetting
• besetting
• briquetting
• forgetting
• offsetting
• pipetting
• regretting
• resetting
• subletting
• typesetting
• upsetting

Kids Definition

bloodletting

noun

blood·​let·​ting ˈbləd-ˌlet-iŋ 

1

: the opening of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood

2

: bloodshed sense 2

Medical Definition

bloodletting

noun

blood·​let·​ting -ˌlet-iŋ 

: phlebotomy