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

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

The Al-Mawasi “safe zone” massacre.

From Salon

A series of videos have been shared online over the last week that appear to show dozens of bodies wrapped in blankets from an alleged RSF massacre in Al Seriha.

From BBC

Six days after the Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel on Oct.

From Salon

Related Words

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