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Martyring: meaning, definitions and examples

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martyring

 

[ ˈmɑːrtərɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

suffering for beliefs

Martyring refers to the act of sacrificing oneself or enduring great suffering for a cause, particularly in the context of religious belief or political ideology. It is often associated with individuals who face persecution, torture, or death while steadfastly holding onto their convictions. The concept has historically been linked to various movements where individuals became martyrs for their faith, human rights, or social justice, serving as inspirations for others. The term can also be used in a more general sense to describe someone who seeks sympathy by exaggerating or fabricating their suffering.

Synonyms

persecute, sacrifice, suffer, torture

Examples of usage

  • She was martyring herself for the cause.
  • Throughout history, many have been martyring their lives for their beliefs.
  • He felt that the injustice they faced was martyring their efforts.

Translations

Translations of the word "martyring" in other languages:

🇵🇹 martirização

🇮🇳 शहीद बनाना

🇩🇪 Märtyrertum

🇮🇩 martir

🇺🇦 мучеництво

🇵🇱 męczeństwo

🇯🇵 殉教

🇫🇷 martyre

🇪🇸 martirio

🇹🇷 şehitlik

🇰🇷 순교

🇸🇦 استشهاد

🇨🇿 mučednictví

🇸🇰 mučeníctvo

🇨🇳 殉道

🇸🇮 mučeništvo

🇮🇸 píslingskap

🇰🇿 шәйіт

🇬🇪 მოწამეობა

🇦🇿 şəhidlik

🇲🇽 martirio

Etymology

The word 'martyr' comes from the Greek word 'martys,' meaning 'witness.' In early Christianity, it started to denote those who witnessed their faith through the ultimate sacrifice, often through persecution or execution. The term evolved over centuries, particularly during the Roman Empire, when Christians were heavily persecuted, leading to many being executed for their beliefs. In a broader context, martyring has also come to include any suffering endured for a cause, such as social justice, nationalism, or other personal convictions. Notably, it can also carry a negative connotation when used to describe someone who seeks excessive sympathy through their suffering, sometimes known as 'martyr complex.' This duality in meaning showcases how the concept has shifted, yet the essence of sacrifice remains central to its usage.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,424, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.