martyr
1 of 2noun
mar·tyr ˈmär-tər 
1
: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion
2
: a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle
a martyr to the cause of freedom
3
: victim
especially : a great or constant sufferer
a martyr to asthma all his life 
A. J. Cronin
A. J. Cronin martyrization
ˌmär-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən
noun martyrize
ˈmär-tə-ˌrīz
transitive verb martyr
2 of 2verb
martyred; martyring; martyrs
transitive verb
1
: to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession
2
: to inflict agonizing pain on : torture
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Joseph Krauss, ajc, 8 July 2022 With her defeat, Cheney has completed the passage from candidate to political martyr. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 If Lara Trump’s appearance on Fox News was any indication, the Trump team will continue with their tactics, even as the decision is made, hyperbolically portraying the former president as a political martyr. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 John became obsessed with Abraham Lincoln and aspired to be a Confederate version of John Brown, whose violent actions had led to his becoming a martyr to the anti-slavery cause. Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post, 1 July 2022 Earlier in the hearing, Kidd namechecked Ashli Babbitt, the woman shot by Capitol police during the riot and who has since become a martyr for some on the right who defend the rioters. Chris Joyner, ajc, 9 May 2022 But the opportunity to fail, and once again become a martyr to the depredations of elites, is a decent enough consolation prize. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2022 Babbitt has become a martyr among many on the far right. al, 27 Aug. 2021 In messages cited in the complaint, Williams discussed his willingness to become a martyr, his preference for fighting in the desert over the jungle, his fervent wish to behead someone — and his concern that he would be arrested at the airport. Gene Johnson, Star Tribune, 1 June 2021 Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2022 As for the food and cleanup, don’t martyr yourself. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 Catanzara’s potential ouster as a Chicago police officer could also martyr him to supporters in the FOP who see him as an outspoken foe of the Lightfoot administration. Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 14 Nov. 2021 Ursula, legend holds, was a British princess martyred in Germany in the 4th century, along with as many as 11,000 of her holy companions. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 27 May 2020 See More
Noun
Palestinians view her as a martyr to journalism as well as their national cause. Joseph Krauss, ajc, 8 July 2022 With her defeat, Cheney has completed the passage from candidate to political martyr. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 If Lara Trump’s appearance on Fox News was any indication, the Trump team will continue with their tactics, even as the decision is made, hyperbolically portraying the former president as a political martyr. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 John became obsessed with Abraham Lincoln and aspired to be a Confederate version of John Brown, whose violent actions had led to his becoming a martyr to the anti-slavery cause. Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post, 1 July 2022 Earlier in the hearing, Kidd namechecked Ashli Babbitt, the woman shot by Capitol police during the riot and who has since become a martyr for some on the right who defend the rioters. Chris Joyner, ajc, 9 May 2022 But the opportunity to fail, and once again become a martyr to the depredations of elites, is a decent enough consolation prize. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2022 Babbitt has become a martyr among many on the far right. al, 27 Aug. 2021 In messages cited in the complaint, Williams discussed his willingness to become a martyr, his preference for fighting in the desert over the jungle, his fervent wish to behead someone — and his concern that he would be arrested at the airport. Gene Johnson, Star Tribune, 1 June 2021 Verb
Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2022 Her choice to martyr herself to a husband who sounds like a selfish deadbeat must seem puzzling to you, but your role here is not to fix her life. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 18 Aug. 2022 As for the food and cleanup, don’t martyr yourself. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 Catanzara’s potential ouster as a Chicago police officer could also martyr him to supporters in the FOP who see him as an outspoken foe of the Lightfoot administration. Jeremy Gorner, chicagotribune.com, 14 Nov. 2021 Ursula, legend holds, was a British princess martyred in Germany in the 4th century, along with as many as 11,000 of her holy companions. T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 27 May 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing martyr
Kids Definition
martyr 1 of 2
noun
mar·tyr ˈmär-tər
: a person who suffers greatly or dies for a religion or cause
martyr
2 of 2verb
martyred; martyring
: to put to death for refusing to give up a belief
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
Relevance
- attack
- torture
- torment
- anguish
- persecute
- plague
- curse
- rack
- dog
- assail
- hound
- distress
- agonize
- besiege
- excruciate
- afflict
- badger
- ride
- beset
- pursue
- grieve
- bedevil
- harry
- annoy
- bug
- harass
- put out
- discomfort
- pain
- stress
- harrow
- trouble
- aggravate
- nettle
- molest
- pique
- gall
- agitate
- pester
- irritate
- rile
- discompose
- victimize
- upset
- grate
- gripe
- irk
- exasperate
- bother
- try
- disquiet
- strain
- disturb
- worry
- perturb
- fluster
- peeve
- vex
- chafe
- smite
- crush
- oppress
- hurt
- tyrannize
- stab
- hagride
- prick
- strike
- rasp
- get
- smart
- overwhelm
- pang
- overpower
- sting
- wring
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aid
- help
- assist
- relieve
- release
- console
- abet
- reprieve
- comfort
- deliver
- quiet
- succor
- content
- solace
- soothe
martyr
2 of 2noun
as in sacrifice
Synonyms & Similar Words
- sacrifice
- loser
- underdog
- victim
- casualty
- fatality
- collateral damage
- prey
- murderee
- loss
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- victor
- winner
- murderer
- gainer
- killer
- assassin
- injurer
- harmer