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.
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Recent Examples of martyr
Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Until that point, no other Afghan leader had ever martyred a son, adopted or otherwise, signifying how values were changing.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2022
Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Trump’s decision to pardon Ulbricht is largely seen as linked to the support he’s received from the libertarian cryptocurrency community, which has long considered the Silk Road creator a martyr.
—Andrew Couts, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Verb
In the years since, Peanut’s various costumes and antics, including jumping through hoops and eating waffles, have earned him hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, per Social Blade — even before he was martyred.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Until that point, no other Afghan leader had ever martyred a son, adopted or otherwise, signifying how values were changing.
—Carter Malkasian, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2022
Noun
The man, Mazen al-Hamada, is regarded as a martyr by the rebels who deposed Assad after thirteen scourging years of civil war.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Trump’s decision to pardon Ulbricht is largely seen as linked to the support he’s received from the libertarian cryptocurrency community, which has long considered the Silk Road creator a martyr.
—Andrew Couts, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for martyr
Recent Examples of Synonyms for martyr
Verb
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When that extreme trend was pointed out to Suzuki, the Cubs hitting infrastructure worked with him to look for moments to be aggressive and attack the first pitch.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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Government officials and local civil society leaders didn't immediately comment, though Congo's Communications Ministry said the rebels had violated ceasefire agreements and attacked Congolese troops working to avoid urban warfare and violence in Bukavu.—
JUSTIN KABUMBA,
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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Their sacrifices remind us that doing what is right is never in vain, even when the path forward is unclear.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Investigation:Slain transgender man Sam Nordquist was tortured for weeks, police say; 5 people arrested What was the motive behind the attack?—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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For a month and a half, the men were tortured and abused.—
Lauren Green,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Coaching hire winners and losers: In all, seven teams made leadership changes at the top.—
Jim Reineking,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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No more participation trophies for Bill Plaschke! Los Angeles’ lovable loser nailed it by predicting the Eagles’ big win, ending his losing tradition that envied the Benoit Benjamin Clippers of the 1980s!—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Confused Martin, the character played by Chamberlain, shows up to the motel planning to take May on a movie date but first must confront the couple’s growing tensions and tormented twisted and intertwined lives from their pasts.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
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The 6-foot-7 Dublin center has tormented teams with his high rebounding motor and soft touch around the rim.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Watching, Emily grows anguished at her mother’s distraction.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2025
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South Korean officials on Monday began the slow, painstaking process of piecing together the many body parts found in the wreckage after the country’s worst plane crash in decades, as hundreds of relatives, waiting to receive the victims’ bodies, grew more anguished by the hour.—
John Yoon,
New York Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After the war broke out, Lina insisted on helping shield the persecuted – Jews and Roma, among them – at great risk.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
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According to court records, two plaintiffs fled Afghanistan due to fears that the Taliban might persecute them over their support for the United States.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Also Read ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Doc Soars into Wide Release Osbourne, 76, has been plagued with health problems since his last proper concerts in 2018 and is currently unable to walk.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
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However, the animals have been plagued by disease, habitat loss and other challenges.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Martyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/martyr. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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