martyr

noun

mar·tyr | \ ˈmär-tər

Definition of martyr

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

martyr

verb

martyred; martyring; martyrs

Definition of martyr (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession

2 : to inflict agonizing pain on : torture

Other Words from martyr More Example Sentences Learn More about martyr

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Other Words from martyr

Noun

martyrization \ ˌmär-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən

\ noun

martyrize \ ˈmär-tə-ˌrīz

\ transitive verb

Examples of martyr in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On December 13, the country commemorates St. Lucia, one of the earliest Christian martyrs, with a festival. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria Shares Adorable Photos of Her Children Celebrating St. Lucia Day," 13 Dec. 2018 While many orphans’ parents had died from car accidents or disease, an increasing number were becoming martyrs of the Christian faith. — Marlo Safi, WSJ, "Is Sisi Good for Egypt’s Christians?," 10 Jan. 2019 This happens often in rescue efforts: People who die heroically trying to help others become martyrs who are seen as the best of us. — Washington Post, "A Thai cave, an extraordinary tale and a captivated world," 12 July 2018 Many in Kerala see Mulakkal as a martyr, and a string of supporters visited him in jail. — Tim Sullivan, The Seattle Times, "AP finds long history of nuns abused by priests in India," 1 Jan. 2019 The gag order backfired, turning English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson into a sort of free-speech martyr to conservatives such as Donald Trump Jr. and Roseanne Barr before the gag order was lifted Tuesday. — Avi Selk, Washington Post, "Conservative outrage after anti-Muslim campaigner Tommy Robinson secretly jailed in Britain," 29 May 2018 But as a black designer, I’m expected to be a martyr for my works. — Mekita Rivas, Teen Vogue, "Kerby Jean-Raymond on Pyer Moss' 'American Also' Campaign and Criticism of His 'Stop Calling 911' Shirt," 6 Nov. 2018 Francis declared Romero a martyr in 2015, and Romero was beatified that same year. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Oscar Romero, a martyr for social justice and the newest Catholic saint, explained," 15 Oct. 2018 The researchers in New Zealand suggest that religion directly comforts people who are suffering or reminds them of the resilience of others who suffered greatly too, like the Bible’s Jesus on the cross or martyrs who were tortured. — Wesley Wildman, Smithsonian, "How Computer Scientists Model the Role of Religion in Society," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Likewise, the prison diary of Vibia Perpetua of Carthage, who was martyred in 203 at the age of 21 after becoming a Christian convert, recorded both her inner thoughts and daily life, making her the founding mother of prison literature. — Amanda Foreman, WSJ, "Literature Behind Bars," 12 July 2018 And the Islamic State militant group belatedly exalted him as a martyred disciple. — Rick Gladstone, New York Times, "What Is Terrorism? Attacks in Canada and Belgium Reflect Uncertain Definition," 31 May 2018 The letter goes on: There has long been a traditional narrative of blaming, vilifying and martyring courageous women. — Anna Silman, The Cut, "Celebrities Pen Powerful Open Letter Defending Asia Argento Against Misogynist Trolls," 13 July 2018 He was martyred by Emperor Nero in Rome for holding publicly to his Christian faith. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "The racist history of the Bible verse the White House uses to justify separating families," 15 June 2018 Carved wooden figure of St. Apollonia This statue, which dates from around the second half of the 19th century, shows poor St. Apollonia, a Christian from Alexandria, Egypt, who was martyred at the hands of the Romans in A.D. 249. — Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times, "This Exhibition Has Real Bite," 7 June 2018 Its origins can be traced to a Greek Orthodox saint whose three daughters were martyred. — Asher Fogle, Good Housekeeping, "The Real Meaning Behind 29 of the Most Popular Baby Names," 6 Jan. 2016 Yet at the height of the American occupation of neighboring Iraq, Assad encouraged Syrian jihadists to go martyr themselves by killing Americans. — Christopher Dickey, New York Times, "War Without End," 6 Apr. 2018 The end of Jesus Christ Superstar (spoiler alert?) shows the horror of the crucifixion, with Jesus betrayed and martyred on the cross. — Caroline Framke, Vox, "The electric spectacle of Jesus Christ Superstar Live, in one shot," 2 Apr. 2018

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.