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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 martyr
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Lee also explains the story of the Coronati, or Four Crowned Holy Ones, a group of early Christian martyrs who collectively refused to renounce their faith.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 July 2025
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
King was martyred for his role in that struggle for freedom and equality that has bettered the lives of all Americans, not solely African-Americans.
—Paul L. Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
Canonized by the Vatican in 1935, More is revered as a martyr and the Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Lee also explains the story of the Coronati, or Four Crowned Holy Ones, a group of early Christian martyrs who collectively refused to renounce their faith.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 July 2025
Noun
Gregorios Bishara, priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, was martyred this morning at the hands of the pro-HTS armed factions that raided the city of Baniyas.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
King was martyred for his role in that struggle for freedom and equality that has bettered the lives of all Americans, not solely African-Americans.
—Paul L. Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
-
Mastantuono, 18, has the characteristics to contribute from a deeper position, but his signing was intended for more attacking areas, as is being seen.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
An elderly Arkansas man is in the hospital after a black bear attacked him in Franklin County on Wednesday.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In some societies, chickens are symbols of fertility and sacrifice; in others, they’re even considered divine.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
My own experience, and my wife’s sacrifice, gave me empathy for those with financial struggles.—
Brian Walsh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Emily Brontë appears in every way indifferent to the need for love and companionship that tortured the lives of her sisters.—
Emily Temple
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Jamie Simpson of Covington was sentenced in March to 60 years in prison for holding his wife captive and torturing her for hours before barricading himself inside her home in a lengthy standoff with police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
During the competition, the losers are executed and the lone survivor is declared the winner.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But one this unique and anticipated deserved its own breakdown of winners and losers.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He’s tormented and has his own personal issues.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In Annabelle’s defense, her laziness is in line with the rest of the film franchise, which almost always involves demons using preexisting hauntings to torment families.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Seeing how anguished her parents were, Angelica decided to do something about it.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The wide receiver looked frustrated and anguished as a group of trainers worked to stretch him out.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
The safest course would be to force out the Americans, persecute the Sunnis, and then let the Shiite factions bicker forever.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
-
His deportation to El Salvador violated a 2019 court order that protected him from being deported to his home country because of concerns that he’d be persecuted by violent gangs.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Tigers have been plagued by poor starting pitching, a thin bullpen and an offense that hasn’t played with the same spark since the All-Star break.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Aligning With San Francisco’s Health Care Security Ordinance San Francisco’s Health Care Security Ordinance was designed to expand access, but the system has long been plagued by complexity.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share