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martyrize

[mahr-tuh-rahyz]
See more synonyms for martyrize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), mar·tyr·ized, mar·tyr·iz·ing.
  1. to make a martyr of: The ancient Romans martyrized many Christians.
  2. to torment.
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Also especially British, mar·tyr·ise.

Origin of martyrize

1400–50; late Middle English martirizen < Medieval Latin martyrizāre. See martyr, -ize
Related formsmar·tyr·i·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

annoydisturbinjurebeatwoundabusetormentpersecutemistreatmaimmutilateoppresssaddenupsetstingpunishconstraincrucifysmitepain

Examples from the Web for martyrize

Historical Examples

  • Must such people come to the Sea to martyrize the sick and to vulgarize the majesty of the Sea, that wild and true grandeur?

    The Sea

    Jules Michelet

  • As to you, my brave companion—(Mylio stops; his foot has struck the iron pincers that served to martyrize Karvel the Perfect).

  • They cut off their limbs and antennæ and often martyrize them to death with a rabidness that sadly resembles human sentiments!