ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Massacre

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈmæs.ə.kə(ɹ)/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Massacre is a noun meaning (figuratively) Any overwhelming defeat, as in a game or sport.

Meaning

(figuratively) Any overwhelming defeat, as in a game or sport.

More Meanings

  1. (transitive, figuratively) To win against (an opponent) very decisively.
  2. (transitive, figuratively) To perform (a work, such as a musical piece or a play) very poorly.
  3. (transitive, proscribed) To kill with great force or brutality.
  4. The killing of a considerable number (usually limited to people) where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and/or contrary to civilized norms.
  5. (transitive) To kill in considerable numbers where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to civilized norms. (Often limited to the killing of human beings.)
  6. (obsolete) Murder.

Example Sentences

Amritsar Massacre
Massacres of Diyarbekir
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Word Forms

Synonyms for massacre

Depending on context, synonyms include butchery, slaughter, decimation.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include slaughter, assassination, slaying, genocide, bloodbath, culling.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.