1
as in inferno
a destructive burning
the holocaust caused by the ignited chemicals completely destroyed the factory and several surrounding homes
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2
as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people
as many as 2,000,000 people may have perished in the holocaust perpetrated by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge
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Recent Examples of holocaust
In the 1950s, the success of the Manhattan Project, combined with the emerging U.S.-Soviet rivalry, created the novel threat of a worldwide nuclear holocaust.
—
Daniel Deudney, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018
Soon after, the same broadcaster commissioned a holocaust series featuring a majority white cast.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2024
The theory gets its name from the 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, where a cyborg travels back in time to kill a woman whose unborn son will fight against an AI system slated to spark a nuclear holocaust.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 21 May 2024
His predecessor had started seizing the high ground in the nuclear age with bold ideas for controlling these diabolical weapons, and other presidents would continue, in time leading to arms-control and test-ban treaties, and helping (so far) to avert nuclear holocaust.
—Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for holocaust
Daniel Deudney, Foreign Affairs, 14 June 2018
Soon after, the same broadcaster commissioned a holocaust series featuring a majority white cast.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2024
The theory gets its name from the 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, where a cyborg travels back in time to kill a woman whose unborn son will fight against an AI system slated to spark a nuclear holocaust.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 21 May 2024
His predecessor had started seizing the high ground in the nuclear age with bold ideas for controlling these diabolical weapons, and other presidents would continue, in time leading to arms-control and test-ban treaties, and helping (so far) to avert nuclear holocaust.
—Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for holocaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holocaust
Noun
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The inferno that raged across the Palisades on Jan. 7 took thousands of homes and several lives.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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Despite tens of billions of dollars spent so far in California alone to reduce the risk of electric ignition, last month's infernos suggest that much more needs to be done to make sure the electric grid does not contribute to more tragedy.—
Jeff Young,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The tipster said a friend had access to an AR-15 rifle, had just ordered a bulletproof vest and admired Nikolas Cruz, who carried out a February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 14 students and three school staff members.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
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The actual site of the massacre, however, has been relegated to history books.—
Sarah Holzmann,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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To get water up to the fire, the trail crew filled five-gallon jugs and lashed them to mules.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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That did not happen, of course, due to the engine-section fire.—
Bradley Iger,
Ars Technica,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fatted calves for eventual psychic sacrificial slaughter?—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2025
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The outbreak has resulted in the slaughter of millions of hens in an effort to curb the spread, resulting in higher egg prices.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Holocaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holocaust. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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