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
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
While Babbitt’s death was viewed as a direct consequence of her own actions by many, the 36-year-old Air Force veteran became a martyr to MAGA loyalists.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 May 2025
Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024
He apparently was martyred in Azerbaijan, which is an interesting tidbit.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
The basilica also houses a shrine to modern Christian martyrs from around the world, whose relics line both sides of the church and also fill the crypts below.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
While Babbitt’s death was viewed as a direct consequence of her own actions by many, the 36-year-old Air Force veteran became a martyr to MAGA loyalists.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 3 May 2025
Noun
The myths are impossible to confirm hundreds of years later, Beach said, but the story is that Magnus was a Roman soldier who helped gather Christians to be martyred.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024
He apparently was martyred in Azerbaijan, which is an interesting tidbit.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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In June, a woman defaced a Pilsen mural at 16th Street and Ashland Avenue and was accused of attacking another woman who tried to stop her.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
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Amorim needs a mobile centre forward capable of attacking open space at speed and offering a threat in quick transition.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Corder's funeral was held on July 11, with colleagues and city officials honoring his service and sacrifice.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
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The percentage is small, in part, because military service demands an unusually high level of commitment and sacrifice.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Jon Burge extracted a false confession from Wilson by beating him and torturing him with electrical shocks, according to Wilson’s lawsuit.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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But just like the dollars that will stay in many taxpayers' pockets and add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, there are large sums for industry packed into the 870-page law, making several winners and losers.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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For investors, developers, and tenants, the message is clear: The forthcoming shakeout from America’s return to office will create distinct winners and losers, with the South leading the way into recovery.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Verb
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This is the meat of the film, tormenting Jeanne with all the possibilities (a friendly policeman tracks Suzanne to Belgium, where the trail goes cold).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
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Jeon, another accomplished actress, known for her roles in Harbin, Glitch and Vincenzo, also creates a relatable character, one tormented by her own visions of evil.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The senator from New Jersey and the governor of Kentucky both urged Democrats from around Florida to restore their party’s image, offered prescriptions for a resurgence, and inspired inspiration for party activists anguished about what’s happening under President Donald Trump.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
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Mayor Ron Nirenberg said he and his wife, Erika Prosper, are anguished over the loss of life and hope anyone missing is found safe.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, there’s room in America for Afrikaners from South Africa, the white minority of Dutch origin who claim they are being persecuted and subject to violence inflicted by the majority Black population.—
Howard Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
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Many noted that Superman has always been political, and that the comic series was also created by sons of Jewish immigrants in 1938 — as Hitler’s Nazi Germany was persecuting Jews.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Verb
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With water crises increasingly plaguing other areas of the country, Central Arkansas is positioning itself as a destination for sustainable economic growth.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
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But, with its ridiculous time-turning conclusion, the 1978 classic revealed a problem that's been plaguing the last son of Krypton ever since: Superman movies never end well.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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