A. J. Cronin 
Examples of martyr in a Sentence
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 18 Nov. 2023
In the short run, that may be good politics; Trump’s self-portrayal as a martyr appears to have cemented his hold on the Republican presidential nomination.
—Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2023
Bishop Strickland, now a martyr to frustrated traditionalists, has an unusually powerful platform from which to voice that viewpoint.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023
In theory, the monument was meant to glorify a national hero, a martyr to imperialism.
—Michela Wrong, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2023
Cities are waiting to be rebuilt, the health system is in ruins, and public sector wages aren’t being paid.
FROM TOP: A poster of a Houthi martyr, from the group that controls Yemen’s government, in an area of Hodeida damaged by fighting.
—Kareem Fahim, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023
Less than 5 percent of Italy’s streets or squares are named after a woman, and half of those are saints or martyrs or the Virgin Mary.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
These women are not just queens and princesses, but also vestal virgins and whores, traitors and patriots, saintly martyrs, savvy businesswomen, informers, poets, and rebels.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023
Almost no building is free of a martyr poster, and the cemeteries overflow with those killed in clashes with Israeli troops.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2023
Winner comes across as a sympathetic figure and a martyr, but Satter leaves ambiguous what exactly she’s been martyred for.
—David Klion, The New Republic, 5 June 2023
The grandson of Prophet Muhammad was martyred in Muharram; an event that is commemorated with great emphasis in Shia congregations.
—Manal Aman, Woman's Day, 12 June 2023
Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2022
As for the food and cleanup, don’t martyr yourself.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 24 July 2022
Catanzara’s potential ouster as a Chicago police officer could also martyr him to supporters in the FOP who see him as an outspoken foe of the Lightfoot administration.
—Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 14 Nov. 2021
Ursula, legend holds, was a British princess martyred in Germany in the 4th century, along with as many as 11,000 of her holy companions.
—T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 27 May 2020
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'martyr.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing martyr
Dictionary Entries Near martyr
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martyr. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
martyr
1 of 2 noun
martyr
2 of 2 verb
More from Merriam-Webster on martyr
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for martyr
Nglish: Translation of martyr for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of martyr for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martyr
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