massacre

[ mas-uh-ker ]

noun

1. 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: extermination, genocide, butchery, carnage

2. a general slaughter, as of persons or animals:

   the massacre of millions during the war.

   Synonyms: extermination, genocide, butchery, carnage

3. Informal. a crushing defeat, especially in sports.

verb (used with object)

, mas·sa·cred, mas·sa·cring.

1. to kill unnecessarily and indiscriminately, especially a large number of persons.

   Synonyms: slay

2. Informal. to defeat decisively, especially in sports.

massacre

/ ˈmæsəkə; ˈmæsəkrə /

noun

1. the wanton or savage killing of large numbers of people, as in battle
2. informal.
   an overwhelming defeat, as in a game

verb

1. to kill indiscriminately or in large numbers
2. informal.
   to defeat overwhelmingly

Derived Forms

• massacrer, noun

Other Words From

• massa·crer [mas, -, uh, -krer], noun
• un·massa·cred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of massacre¹

First recorded in 1575–85; (noun), from Middle French massacre, noun derivative of massacrer, Old French maçacrer, macecler, probably from unattested Vulgar Latin matteūcculāre, verbal derivative of unattested matteūca “mallet” ( mashie, mace ¹ ); (verb) from Middle French massacrer

Word History and Origins

Origin of massacre¹

C16: from Old French, of unknown origin

Synonym Study

See slaughter.

Example Sentences

The Onion’s bid was backed by the families of eight victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre and a first responder.

From Los Angeles Times

Mexico has seen continued gang wars, massacres and assassinations since Sheinbaum took office.

From Los Angeles Times

They were endorsed again the week after the massacre, as if they were not shocking but the logical evolution of four decades of messaging that, until that terrible August day, had failed to land.

From Salon

Every day seems to bring fresh headlines of another massacre.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Human Rights Watch, the military massacred more than 220 civilians - including at least 56 children - in a single day earlier this year.

From BBC

Related Words

• annihilate
• butcher
• decimate
• exterminate
• murder
• slaughter
• slay

About This Word

What does massacre mean?

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.

Where does massacre come from?

The first records of the word massacre come from around 1580. It comes from the Middle French verb massacrer. It may ultimately derive from the Vulgar Latin matteūca, meaning “mallet,” but its origin is uncertain.

When referring to a violent event, the word massacre is most often used in reference to war. In particular, it is used to refer to events in which soldiers are killing not just other soldiers but also civilians. In the United States, the word massacre has been used in reference to historic events that include violent killings of defenseless victims. For example, during the Boston Massacre of 1770, British soldiers fired on a crowd of colonists, killing five. Other events labeled massacres often involve the killing of many more people—thousands or even millions.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to massacre?

• massacrer (noun)
• unmassacred (adjective)

What are some synonyms for massacre?

• slaughter
• annihilate
• decimate
• exterminate

What are some words that often get used in discussing massacre?

 

• killing
• violence
• carnage
• murder
• genocide
• war
• defeat

How is massacre used in real life?

Massacre is often used in the context of violent events, but it’s commonly used in a figurative way, especially in the context of sports.

“This was a massacre. Nine people died on that day. Six of them were children.”

A Sky News investigation has discovered evidence of a recent potential war crime in northern Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition, which is backed by the US and Britain

— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 27, 2020

Wounded Knee was a massacre of hundreds of defenseless Native men, women, and children at the hands of U.S. soldiers. We must take steps to address this horrific injustice. Today, I am proud to join my colleagues on a bill to revoke Medals of Honor awarded for Wounded Knee.

— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) November 28, 2019

The Patriots massacre of the Colts on Sunday is going to be such a bloodbath that the NFL might have to move the game to HBO. Not for cable.

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) October 12, 2015