martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmär-tər-dəm 

1

: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faith

… defended moral truth even to the point of enduring martyrdom …

—Andrew Sullivan

2

: affliction, torture

Examples of martyrdom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That is hardly a cause worthy of martyrdom. —Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026

In schools, the war is taught in such a way as to instill the values of resistance and martyrdom in children, as well as a distrust of America and the West. —Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026

Shiites frame their own suffering – from facing injustice to martyrdom – as symbolically participating in Husayn’s sacrifice. —Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026

If the drama turns to martyrdom, the chore becomes heavier. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmärt-ərd-əm 

1

: the sufferings and death of a martyr

2

: torment entry 1 sense 1