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massacre
[mas-uh-ker]
noun
the unnecessary, indiscriminate killing of a large number of human beings or animals, as in barbarous warfare or persecution or for revenge or plunder.
Synonyms: , , ,a general slaughter, as of persons or animals.
the massacre of millions during the war.
Synonyms: , , ,Informal.a crushing defeat, especially in sports.
verb (used with object)
to kill unnecessarily and indiscriminately, especially a large number of persons.
Synonyms:Informal.to defeat decisively, especially in sports.
massacre
/ ˈmæsəkə, ˈmæsəkrə /
noun
the wanton or savage killing of large numbers of people, as in battle
informalan overwhelming defeat, as in a game
verb
to kill indiscriminately or in large numbers
informalto defeat overwhelmingly
Other 51Թ Forms
- massacrer noun
- unmassacred adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of massacre1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Though their tactics differ in scale — the U.S. is not massacring immigrants and bombing their neighborhoods — they share the goal of eliminating a population.
"Empathy for the people who celebrated the massacres of October 7 is very low," Yitzchak says.
Their disappearance in the dangerous border town in the state of Tamaulipas — a mostly cartel-controlled area infamous for massacres and kidnappings — alarmed relatives and friends, who staged demonstrations this week to demand their safe return.
Once Ellie and Dina stumble across a cluster of massacred men, women and children in a Washington state forest, the righteousness of their mission grows clearer.
Hamas issued a statement condemning the attack as "a horrific massacre" and accused Israel of deliberately targeting personnel tasked with protecting humanitarian aid.
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Related 51Թs
When To Use
A massacre is a large-scale killing of people or animals, especially defenseless ones.The word implies that such a killing was especially unnecessary, brutal, and indiscriminate. An event in which soldiers kill many civilians could be called a massacre. Mass shootings are massacres.Massacre can also be used in a more general way to refer to killing on a large-scale, as in This war will result in the massacre of millions. Massacre can also be used as a verb in both of these senses, as in The flock was massacred by the pack of wolves. Massacre is also used figuratively as a noun and a verb in the context of a decisive defeat, especially a one-sided sporting event, as in It was a massacre—we lost 12-0. Example: Every day, the news tells us of yet another massacre of innocent people by a person with a gun.
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