Definition of martyr
1 : a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion
2 : a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle a martyr to the cause of freedom
3 : victim; especially : a great or constant sufferer a martyr to asthma all his life — A. J. Cronin
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of martyr from the Web
-
The martyr was himself a killer, says Franco Martín López, the institute’s director.
-
Indeed, many of the ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria are from the West — and will return there to die martyrs.
-
The lamb on Bishop Perez's shield also recalls Saint Agnes, the twelve-year-old Roman martyr who was killed in 304.
-
This fact makes him, depending on your view, either a criminal who got his just deserts or a martyr.
-
Other speakers, including one of Best's sons, described him as a humble family man who became a martyr in death.
-
The saddest of these interviewees is a Palestinian schoolboy of around 10 who cheerfully shares his dream of becoming a martyr in the holy war against Israel, which only underscores the depth of extremist indoctrination on both sides.
-
NEW YORK -- A U.S. Air Force veteran convicted in New York of terrorism charges for trying to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and die a martyr will spend 35 years in prison.
-
El Akkad demonstrates a profound understanding of the corrosive culture of civil war, the offenses that give rise to new hypocrisies and mythologies, translating terrorists into martyrs and acts of despair into feats of heroism.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'martyr.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of martyr
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
Other Christian Religious Terms
martyr
Definition of martyr
transitive verb
1 : to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession
2 : to inflict agonizing pain on : torture
Recent Examples of martyr from the Web
-
There's a temptation to see Comey as a Becket figure, a man at risk of being martyred by the overreaching state.
-
Heroes typically get crucified or martyred in the end.
-
Azmy asked church members to pray for those martyred and also to pray for their assailants.
-
The ugly episode poisoned the Vikings when pictures were leaked revealing the boy’s injuries and Peterson martyred himself as the victim of a politicized front office and league.
-
The two deputy governors before him had been martyred.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'martyr.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of martyr
see 1martyr
MARTYR Defined for English Language Learners
martyr
playDefinition of martyr for English Language Learners
-
: a person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc.
-
: a person who pretends to suffer or who exaggerates suffering in order to get praise or sympathy
-
: a person who suffers greatly from something (such as an illness)
martyr
Definition of martyr for English Language Learners
-
: to kill (someone) for refusing to give up a belief or cause
MARTYR Defined for Kids
Definition of martyr for Students
: a person who suffers greatly or dies rather than give up his or her religion or principles
Definition of martyr for Students
martyred
;martyring
: to put to death for refusing to give up a belief
Learn More about martyr
-
See words that rhyme with martyr Spanish Central: Translation of martyr Nglish: Translation of martyr for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of martyr for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martyr
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up martyr? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!