massacre

[ mas-uh-ker ]

noun

1. the unnecessary, indiscriminate killing of a large number of human beings or animals, as in barbarous warfare or persecution or for revenge or plunder.

   Synonyms: extermination, genocide, butchery, carnage

2. a general slaughter, as of persons or animals:

   the massacre of millions during the war.

   Synonyms: extermination, genocide, butchery, carnage

3. Informal. a crushing defeat, especially in sports.

verb (used with object)

, mas·sa·cred, mas·sa·cring.

1. to kill unnecessarily and indiscriminately, especially a large number of persons.

   Synonyms: slay

2. Informal. to defeat decisively, especially in sports.

massacre

/ ˈmæsəkrə; ˈmæsəkə /

noun

1. the wanton or savage killing of large numbers of people, as in battle
2. informal.
   an overwhelming defeat, as in a game

verb

1. to kill indiscriminately or in large numbers
2. informal.
   to defeat overwhelmingly

Derived Forms

• massacrer, noun

Other Words From

• massa·crer [mas, -, uh, -krer], noun
• un·massa·cred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of massacre¹

First recorded in 1575–85; (noun), from Middle French massacre, noun derivative of massacrer, Old French maçacrer, macecler, probably from unattested Vulgar Latin matteūcculāre, verbal derivative of unattested matteūca “mallet” ( mashie, mace ¹ ); (verb) from Middle French massacrer

Word History and Origins

Origin of massacre¹

C16: from Old French, of unknown origin

Synonym Study

See slaughter.

Example Sentences

The massacre of cartoonists at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo is a crystallizing moment.

From The Daily Beast

Several Muslim sites in France, including mosques have been attacked or vandalized since the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

From The Daily Beast

What often is forgotten—and what Beck could probably stand to remember—is that the massacre was, technically, a firefight.

From The Daily Beast

Nearly two full months have passed since the student massacre that took place in the city of Iguala, Guerrero.

From The Daily Beast

Will “loyalty cards” be enough to stave of a Republican massacre of House Democrats on Tuesday?

From The Daily Beast

Those who escaped the massacre were hung upon the same trees on which the Frenchmen had previously been hung.

From Project Gutenberg

There was the usual massacre, but this time the trees were cut down and the wells choked up.

From Project Gutenberg

The sight of the awful carnage affected even the warworn Marshal, and made him exclaim, "What a massacre!"

From Project Gutenberg

Native rumors had brought the news of the massacre at Cawnpore, though the ghastly tragedy of the Well was yet to come.

From Project Gutenberg

It was during his reign that the fatal massacre of St. Bartholomews took place, which renders his name odious.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annihilate
• butcher
• decimate
• exterminate
• murder
• slaughter
• slay