MARTYR Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

martyr 1 of 2

verb

Definition of martyr

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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martyr

2 of 2

noun

as in sacrifice

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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 martyr

Verb

Porter need not be martyred like Good and Pretti. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026 Iran, with its sophisticated military, near-nuclear capability, proxy networks spanning the region and a regime now martyred by foreign attack, will likely not be the exception. — Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026

Noun

In a normal rom-com, this is where Jack would exit stage left as the martyr who nudged Wendy toward her true soulmate. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 In 2020 Pope Francis recognized Gerardi as a martyr, advancing his cause for canonization in the Roman Catholic Church. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for martyr

Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr

Verb

An official of Congo's ruling party UDPS, Marie-Célestin Karondwa, was attacked by unknown suspects Sunday for defending the government's measures against Ebola on a radio program and was in critical condition, according to the UDPS.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
Additionally, the agents were apparently not instructed to attack or compromise the UN website.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

The killing is halfway between femicide and, as the earth drinks up her blood, ritual sacrifice.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Allen's trial attorneys wanted to put an expert witness on the stand to testify the killings appeared to be a ritual sacrifice by people who worshipped Odin, the king of the gods in Norse mythology.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of sacrifice

Verb

Seemingly forgotten, Aaliyah returned and was shockingly revealed to be behind attempts to kidnap and torture CIA operative Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña).

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Some with final removal orders also have legal protections against deportation to their countries of origin based on the likelihood they would be tortured or persecuted.

— Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of torture

Noun

The winner will emerge feeling optimistic about its chances of making a run in the Big 12, while the loser may need to recalibrate expectations for the rest of the season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
Olivia Miles scored 20 points to lead Minnesota, losers of three straight.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of loser

Verb

Two people were killed and 23 were wounded in Kyiv, and palls of black smoke floated above the city following the latest in what have been daily Russian attacks that torment Ukrainian civilians.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
The series follows a group of Los Angeles teenagers in the 1980s who are being tormented by a serial killer known as the Trawler.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of torment

Verb

Stylistically, this encyclopedic catch-all of genres readily segues from sermons and soliloquies to thrilling action sequences and anguished cris de coeur.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
His effort to have (ahem) his cake and eat it too regarding Iran — acting reportedly anguished behind closed doors but publicly supportive of the administration — speaks to a level of calculation that makes people uncomfortable.

— Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 23 June 2026

Definition of anguish

Verb

Some with final removal orders also have legal protections against deportation to their countries of origin based on the likelihood they would be tortured or persecuted.

— Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

The lawsuit alleges the project was plagued with sloppy workmanship and insufficient oversight.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
But the same issues that plagued him a year ago — interceptions and an inability to see the field — have carried over to this season.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of plague

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Style

“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of martyr

verb

noun

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