Synonyms of martyr

martyr 1 of 2

verb

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• torture
• torment
• anguish
• persecute
• plague
• assail
• curse
• dog
• rack
• agonize
• afflict
• distress
• besiege
• hound
• beset
• pursue
• excruciate
• ride
• bedevil
• badger
• grieve
• annoy
• harass
• bug
• put out
• harrow
• discomfort
• aggravate
• molest
• irritate
• pester
• agitate
• pain
• harry
• pique
• rile
• stress
• nettle
• trouble
• exasperate
• bother
• gall
• upset
• irk
• try
• disturb
• gripe
• discompose
• victimize
• worry
• vex
• grate
• perturb
• chafe
• disquiet
• fluster
• smite
• strain
• oppress
• tyrannize
• crush
• hurt
• rasp
• hagride
• stab
• strike
• get
• prick
• peeve
• overwhelm
• overpower
• smart
• sting
• wring
• pang

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• help
• assist
• relieve
• release
• deliver
• abet
• comfort
• console
• content
• quiet
• reprieve
• soothe
• succor
• solace

martyr

2 of 2

noun

as in sacrifice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sacrifice
• loser
• underdog
• victim
• fatality
• collateral damage
• casualty
• prey
• loss
• murderee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• winner
• victor
• gainer
• murderer
• killer
• assassin
• injurer
• harmer

Examples of martyr in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The former president recently ramped up his rhetoric of victimhood, hyperbolically linking himself to the struggles of famed South African leader Nelson Mandela against apartheid and sharing a supporter's comparison of his legal troubles to how Jesus Christ was martyred by the Romans. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024

Our children have been injured, amputated and martyred. —Khader Al Za’anoun, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024

Noun

What's even worse this time is that the people who have been convicted for taking part in the last January 6th are now being lauded as these martyrs, as these heroes. —Leah Feiger, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024

And in April, a 16-year-old from the Haute-Savoie department in southeastern France was arrested for allegedly researching how to make an explosives belt and die as an ISIS martyr, possibly targeting the Olympics, the statement added. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024