bloodshed
/ˈblʌdʃɛd
/noun [mass noun]
The killing or wounding of people, typically on a large scale during a conflict: the president feared bloodshed and disorder if the demands for reform were not met...
- Fresh troops arrived in the city throughout the day, triggering fears of further bloodshed.
- The bloodshed has sparked fears that the violence could worsen ahead of the elections.
- Ignoring his instincts, Hopkins then rides away as the slaughter and bloodshed begins.
Synonyms
slaughter, slaying, killing, carnage, butchery, massacre, murder, bloodletting, bloodbath, gore, pogrom, genocide;
violence, fighting, hostilities, conflict, warfare, war, battle;
wounding, injury