Definition of MARTYR

martyr

Meanings

Plural: martyrs

Noun

  • one who suffers for the sake of principle
  • one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion
  • One who willingly accepts being put to death or willingly accepts challenging and exposing iniquity done to oneself for adhering openly to one's religious beliefs; notably, saints canonized after red martyrdom.
  • One who sacrifices their life, station, or something of great personal value, for the sake of principle or to sustain a cause.
  • One who suffers greatly and/or constantly, even involuntarily.
  • Someone who exaggerate their pain and suffering in order to gain sympathy.

Verb

  • kill as a martyr
    • "Saint Sebastian was martyred"
  • torture and torment like a martyr
  • To make someone into a martyr by putting them to death for adhering to, or acting in accordance with, some belief, especially religious; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession.
  • To persecute.
  • To torment; to torture.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English martir, from Old English martyr, itself a borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin martyr, from Ancient Greek μάρτυρ (mártur), later form of μάρτυς (mártus, “witness”).

Antonyms

apostate, confessor

Scrabble Score: 11

martyr is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
martyr is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
martyr is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

martyr is a valid Words With Friends word