as in to attack
to kill (someone) for refusing to give up a belief or cause
—usually used as (be) martyred
He was martyred for his religious beliefs.
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Recent Examples of martyr
Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted.
—Vanessa Gera, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.
—Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
His grandfather was martyred in the 1971 war, the former spy reveals.
—Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted.
—Vanessa Gera, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Noun
Continue reading … ‘PYRRHIC VICTORY’ – Charlie Kirk confidant says ‘liar’ Jimmy Kimmel doesn’t deserve to be a martyr.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
On Sunday, he was lionized as a Christian martyr and patriot committed to free expression and challenging liberal orthodoxy.
—Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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In October alone, shoppers were attacked in a supermarket, a Spanish tourist was scratched by a cub at a heritage site, and a trail runner was forced to wrestle a bear in the woods before sprinting to safety.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel in response and attacked the Middle East's largest American military base in Qatar.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But what's really cool is how the movie brings those story lines together in a narrative filled with intriguing twists, gnarly kills, heroic sacrifices and a slew of nifty new Predator designs.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Swapping the pie crust for these biscuits is a small sacrifice—if it could even be called that.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After female marches, which became iconic in the Belarusian revolution 2020, of course, the regime started to arrest women too and torture them too, the same as men.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Daniel is just one of an unknown number of migrants who are currently being tortured on a near daily basis, somewhere in Libya’s Sahara Desert.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Given both are in the top 10 of the CFP rankings, the winner will be in the driver's seat for the automatic berth while the loser can lose control of their destiny.—
Jordan Mendoza,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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The ability to create and absorb failure has always been a key resource in an industry whose losers historically outnumber its winners.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Stop tormenting the boy, says Helga.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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The kids of 1962 Derry, Maine, have already been tormented by plenty of gruesome incarnations of IT, the supernatural monster that haunts their town.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Diddy’s anguished plea for mercy.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
3 Oct. 2025
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But instead of preparing for this moment – the birth of her fifth child – she's anguished about her husband Miguel Angel Garcia-Hernandez.—
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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German far-right influencer applies for asylum in US A prominent far-right German activist and influencer is seeking political asylum in the US, arguing she is being persecuted at home for her beliefs.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Langkawi, Malaysia Reuters — The number of people confirmed dead after a boat carrying members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya community sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border rose to 11 on Monday, authorities said, with about 70 people believed to have been on board the capsized vessel.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Those three couples represent a range of partnerships, from young, recently separated parents that are hoping for a reconciliation to longterm partners intent to work through the issues that plague such unions (think power, recognition, respect, money and more).—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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Quarterback Dart and running back Skattebo have been plagued by injuries during their rookie seasons, and Daboll has been unable to find consistency in his offense.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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