carnage

[kahr-nij]

noun

1. the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre.

2. fighting or other violence.

   brutal carnage on the football field.

3. great damage, utter defeat, or chaos.

   We are charting a way forward after the Election Day carnage.

4. Archaic.,  dead bodies, as of those slain in battle.

carnage

/ ˈkɑːnɪdʒ /

noun

1. extensive slaughter, esp of human beings in battle

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnage¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, from Italian carnaggio, from Medieval Latin carnāticum “payment or offering in meat,” equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) “flesh” + -āticum noun sufffix; -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnage¹

C16: from French, from Italian carnaggio, from Medieval Latin carnāticum, from Latin carō flesh

Example Sentences

"It was absolute carnage out there, but it makes it that much better that we managed to handle it," MacIntyre said.

From BBC

Noah Hawley’s “Alien: Earth” finale, “The Real Monsters,” fulfills those expectations, multiplying the variety of carnage and twisting other franchise mainstays.

From Salon

Eight people have gone on trial accused of rioting which caused "mayhem" and "carnage" in Ely, Cardiff, two years ago.

From BBC

The president is a one-man wrecking crew, leaving carnage everywhere as he rushes through the Project 2025 agenda.

From Salon

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given added: "It's refreshing. Sometimes a bit of old school 'throw it into the mixer' can cause a bit of carnage."

From BBC

Related Words

• bloodshed 
• butchery 
• crime 
• havoc 
• killing 
• mass murder 
• slaughter 
• slaying www.thesaurus.com
• warfare