carnage

American  

[kahr-nij] / ˈkɑr nɪdʒ /

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.

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carnage British  

/ ˈkɑːnɪdʒ /

noun

1. extensive slaughter, esp of human beings in battle

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Etymology

Origin of carnage

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

Example Sentences

Mad monkey turns guitar carnage up to 11.

From MarketWatch

“Gross national product counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage,” he observed.

From Los Angeles Times

Christmas, she recalled, "is carnage in the best possible way with small children".

From BBC

Meanwhile, this year’s carnage could end up meaning more pricing power for the survivors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ironically, it never took place in reality, and was an amalgam of reports of riots and carnage throughout the city.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bloodshed
• butchery
• crime
• havoc
• killing
• mass murder
• slaughter
• slaying
• warfare