as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people
all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to massacre
to kill on a large scale
modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of slaughter
Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 18 Feb. 2026
While the cattle industry is cyclical, the current contraction has lasted longer than expected because there’s a lot more money to be made selling animals for slaughter while very young rather than keeping them to expand herds.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
After recently slaughtering thousands of peaceful protesters, including shooting protesters in their hospital beds, Iran has been elected by the UN to serve as vice chair of the UN Commission for Social Development.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaughter
Noun
The new facility aims to increase slaughter numbers to 22,000 hogs a day while maintaining a comparable workforce of 3,200 employees.
—Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 18 Feb. 2026
While the cattle industry is cyclical, the current contraction has lasted longer than expected because there’s a lot more money to be made selling animals for slaughter while very young rather than keeping them to expand herds.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
Othram often works with law enforcement agencies to help solve crimes, including creating the profile for Bryan Kohberger, the man who slaughtered four University of Idaho students in 2022.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
After recently slaughtering thousands of peaceful protesters, including shooting protesters in their hospital beds, Iran has been elected by the UN to serve as vice chair of the UN Commission for Social Development.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for slaughter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slaughter
Noun
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Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, a survivor of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, said in a statement that the Michigan attack demonstrates yet again the consequences of hatred.—
Corey Williams,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Staff flagged a sign that features a photograph of Colonel John Chivington, a Methodist pastor and Army officer known for leading the 1864 Sand Creek massacre.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For instance, Joseph Nalle, a member of a prominent local family, murdered another alderman in cold blood on Congress Avenue in 1878 with a big knife.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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After Police Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in 2020 in Minneapolis, both the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council passed legislation designed to hold police more accountable, including by enshrining civilians’ rights to record law enforcement.—
Andrew Case,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slaughter. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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