If someone suffers martyrdom, they are killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs.
...the martyrdom of Bishop Feliciano. [+ of]
He suffered martyrdom by stoning.
2. uncountable noun
If you describe someone's behaviour as martyrdom, you are critical of them because they are exaggerating their suffering in order to gain sympathy or praise.
[disapproval]
She sat picking at her small plate of rice salad with an air of martyrdom.
More Synonyms of martyrdom
martyrdom in British English
(ˈmɑːtədəm)
noun
1.
the sufferings or death of a martyr
2.
great suffering or torment
martyrdom in American English
(ˈmɑrtərdəm)
noun
1.
the state of being a martyr
2.
the death or sufferings of a martyr
3.
severe, long-continued suffering; torment
Word origin
ME martirdom < OE martyrdom: see martyr & -dom
Examples of 'martyrdom' in a sentence
martyrdom
I'll leave you to your martyrdom, she said, turning from him.
Clive Barker GALILEE (2001)
The self-invited martyrdom he was presently orchestrating would be rendered worthless.
Clive Barker THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
With a sense of impending martyrdom she walked through the adjoining sitting-room to the hall.
Fraser, Anthea THE GOSPEL MAKERS (2001)
Quotations
A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for itOscar WildeSebastian Melmoth
(noun)
the martyrdom of Bishop Cannio
Synonyms
persecution
the persecution of minorities
suffering
It has caused terrible suffering to animals.
torture
Waiting for the result was torture.
agony
We accepted there would be agony for the remaining children.
ordeal
the painful ordeal of identifying the body
torment
We spent our days in torment, waiting for news.
anguish
A cry of anguish burst from her lips.
Opposites
joy
,
happiness
,
ecstasy
,
bliss
Quotation
A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it [Oscar Wilde – Sebastian Melmoth]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agony
Definition
acute physical or mental pain
We accepted there would be agony for the remaining children.