as in persecuted
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 martyred
Charlie Kirk invited me to speak at Amfest a few weeks ago before he was martyred.
—
Mandy Taheri
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
His desperate, lacerating Teddy is a character who has ruined his own life, who has martyred himself out of his devotion to The Truth.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Mandy Taheri
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
His desperate, lacerating Teddy is a character who has ruined his own life, who has martyred himself out of his devotion to The Truth.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyred
Verb
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The result is that, despite existing household pains owing to more expensive fuel, a resurgent kidnapping crisis that exposes deep security vulnerabilities, and external pressure from a US government that claims Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, Tinubu has expanded his base and looks strong.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Branding peaceful protesters as ‘terrorists,’ and Christians that are persecuted every year as ‘Zionist mercenaries,’ is nothing but scapegoating.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Villagrán conducted research on Chilean Air Force officers and non-commissioned officers who were tortured by their own comrades for refusing to participate in the coup.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Her husband says she has been tortured after her arrest.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Until Friday, the only television advertising on Paxton’s behalf in Texas, according to the ad-tracking service AdImpact, was a spot that attacked Hunt, a two-term House member from the Houston area.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In that non-fatal case, Homeland Security claims three undocumented men attacked a federal agent with a snow shovel and a broom, and that fearing for his life, the agent shot one of the men in the leg.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It's been three years since Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald was killed in the line of duty — a day that's tormented Sgt.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
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On the one hand, Lady Penwood has tormented Sophie since her father’s death, denying her parentage, forcing her into servitude, and working her to the bone.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Alongside Palasciano, speakers assailed the influx of Indian Americans, from accusing them of snatching the American Dream to criticizing their driving skills and even blaming them for traffic.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last year the Make-A-Wish Foundation flew Luke, who was afflicted with a rare life-threatening blood disorder in high school, to Denver to meet his hero.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Embarrassment could have been a factor in the rash decision, but Trump is not a man who appears to be afflicted by that particular emotion, which takes its cue from a certain amount of self-awareness and humility.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Adams administration was besieged with corruption at every level—the Blackness of the perpetrators was of no solace.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Don Lemon also enjoyed a standing ovation and was besieged by people all night to express their gratitude and support after he was arrested and charged for an anti-ICE protest just two days before.—
Rob LeDonne,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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An off-duty Douglas County sheriff’s deputy spit and cursed at a Parker police officer while waiting to be taken to jail after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
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Two of them won the Stanley Cup elsewhere — giving weight to the notion that the Leafs might be cursed.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Martyred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyred. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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