1
as in inferno
a destructive burning
the holocaust caused by the ignited chemicals completely destroyed the factory and several surrounding homes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people
as many as 2,000,000 people may have perished in the holocaust perpetrated by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of holocaust
According to a social media post made by Senior Rabbi Evan Schultz, the menorah had been built by a holocaust survivor.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
15 Jan. 2026
Zbur said this while in the presence of a descendant of a holocaust survivor, who had to excuse herself from the chamber, according to GOP Assembly member Kate Sanchez.
—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Dec. 2025
The film is cosmic Rocky, a thriller-comedy-blockbuster whose scope reaches all the way from the atom bomb to the holocaust and back to the pyramids, locating that beautiful and terrible human need to strive for the impossible, no matter the toll.
—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
23 Dec. 2025
Hours earlier, two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah by the Sea celebration near Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 16 people including a rabbi and a holocaust survivor.
—
Hannah Ruhoff,
Sacbee.com,
15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holocaust
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
15 Jan. 2026
Zbur said this while in the presence of a descendant of a holocaust survivor, who had to excuse herself from the chamber, according to GOP Assembly member Kate Sanchez.
—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Dec. 2025
The film is cosmic Rocky, a thriller-comedy-blockbuster whose scope reaches all the way from the atom bomb to the holocaust and back to the pyramids, locating that beautiful and terrible human need to strive for the impossible, no matter the toll.
—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
23 Dec. 2025
Hours earlier, two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah by the Sea celebration near Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 16 people including a rabbi and a holocaust survivor.
—
Hannah Ruhoff,
Sacbee.com,
15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for holocaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holocaust
Noun
-
Bass was in Ghana when the deadly inferno erupted.
-
The fire initially grew into a huge inferno, creating a pillar of thick, black smoke that could be seen for miles.
Noun
-
Investigators said interviews with Sayer after his arrest indicated he was influenced by the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 that left 13 dead.
-
Sacramento County prosecutors have placed Martin and Payton at the center of the massacre, a shootout at 10th and K streets that prosecutors say was fueled by gang rivalry, score-settling, anger and bravado, with deadly consequences.
Noun
-
The man was linked to three fires and arrested on suspicion of arson, according to the sheriff’s office.
-
The fire spread rapidly, and police said additional fire departments and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist.
Noun
-
Ruthye needs someone to avenge the slaughter of her family at the hands of Krem of the Yellow Hills.
-
The cabin sat on the banks of the not-so-mighty Potomac, looking north toward Antietam Creek and the great slaughter of September 17, 1862, and on the site of the Battle of Boteler’s Ford, fought two days later.
Cite this Entry
“Holocaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holocaust. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
