martyrdom

[mahr-ter-duh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR martyrdom ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the condition, sufferings, or death of a martyr.

extreme suffering; torment.

Nearby words

Origin of martyrdom

before 900; Middle English martirdom, Old English martyrdōm. See martyr, -dom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for martyrdom

“This is a shahid [martyrdom] operation and we are going to fight until we die,” the man in the video said.
Fierce Fighting in Grozny Raises Specter of ISIS Influence in Russia|Anna Nemtsova|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He told the news channel he awaits death with joy and that martyrdom is the greatest reward.
Showing the Faces of Its Murderers, ISIS Shows Its Global Reach|Tracy McNicoll|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So much for hungering for martyrdom and all those virgins waiting in paradise.
What It’s Like to Be Snatched by the Delta Force|Michael Daly|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Potential recruits are told their main role in the Islamic revolution will be through matrimony and childbearing, not martyrdom.
The Bride of ISIS Revealed|Jamie Dettmer|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Martyrdom, in this context, being defined as “mockery, slander, ostracism.”
‘Persecuted’ Is the Christian Right’s Paranoid Wet Dream|Candida Moss|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Spirit of Life prophesies Zoe's martyrdom; it will take place before night.
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Zeal for martyrdom in later days became a disease in the Church, but in the case of Ignatius it is the mark of a hero.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 3|Various
He had kissed her; and with glowing heart, ready for martyrdom, he watched her as she went off in the pale light of winter.
Fruitfulness|Emile Zola
It seemed as if he found some special pleasure in assuming this tone of martyrdom just now.
New Grub Street|George Gissing
The poor girl admitted her martyrdom, not imagining the events to which her admissions would give rise.
Pierrette|Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for martyrdom

martyrdom

noun

the sufferings or death of a martyr

great suffering or torment

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for martyrdom

martyrdom

Old English martyrdom; see martyr (n.) + -dom.

martyrdom

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of martyrdom

Examples from the Web for martyrdom

martyrdom

noun

martyrdom