martyrdom

[ mahr-ter-duh m ]

/ ˈmɑr tər dəm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR martyrdom ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the condition, sufferings, or death of a martyr.

extreme suffering; torment.

Nearby words

martinsville, martinů, martlet, martnet, martyr, martyrdom, martyrium, martyrize, martyrology, martyry, martí

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

/ (ˈmɑːtədəm) /

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

martyrdom

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of martyrdom

Examples from the Web for martyrdom

British Dictionary definitions for martyrdom

martyrdom

noun