as in slaughter
the killing of a large number of people
the infamous massacre of more than 200 Sioux at Wounded Knee, South Dakota
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as in to slaughter
to kill on a large scale
the country's rival ethnic groups began massacring one another
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Recent Examples of massacre
Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
One of the worst massacres is believed to have taken place at the Saudi Hospital, which was the last hospital still operating in the city during the siege.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Didn’t Gallieni also allow Captain Girard to massacre the entire village of Ambiky on August 29, 1897, and decapitate King Toera of the Sakalavas, who had put up a great resistance against the French colonial advance?
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massacre
Noun
The graves included civilians killed in what became known as the Hula massacre, with two Israeli army officers tried in Israel for war crimes.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
One of the worst massacres is believed to have taken place at the Saudi Hospital, which was the last hospital still operating in the city during the siege.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Hamas is a terrorist group that provoked a terrible war by massacring civilians.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Didn’t Gallieni also allow Captain Girard to massacre the entire village of Ambiky on August 29, 1897, and decapitate King Toera of the Sakalavas, who had put up a great resistance against the French colonial advance?
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massacre
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massacre
slaughter
Noun
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The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
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One wonders if Christ, who stormed the temple shouting that the Lord demands mercy, not sacrifice, freeing lambs and goats meant for ritual slaughter, would cheer bruin thrill killing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Massacre.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massacre. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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