martyr

A person killed because of their religious beliefs.

• He died as a martyr.
• The church remembers the martyrs killed for their beliefs.
• She became a martyr when soldiers killed her for refusing to abandon her faith.

How to use it: a martyr for something (They remember her as a martyr for her faith.)

Common phrases: Christian martyr, religious martyr, martyr for something

A person who willingly accepts death or suffering rather than hide or give up their religious beliefs.

• She chose to become a martyr.
• The martyrs refused to give up their faith.
• He was regarded as a martyr after enduring years of imprisonment for his beliefs.

How to use it: a martyr for something (He became a martyr for his religious beliefs.)

Common phrases: willing martyr, martyr for something, religious martyr

Someone who suffers a lot from illness, pain, or other problems.

• He is a martyr to back pain.
• My aunt was a martyr to migraines.
• Years of poor health made him a martyr to constant discomfort.

How to use it: a martyr to something (She was a martyr to severe headaches.)

Similar words: sufferer

Common phrases: martyr to pain, martyr to something

To kill someone because of their beliefs, especially their religion.

• The king ordered his soldiers to martyr the priest.
• Several believers were martyred for refusing to abandon their faith.
• The church remembers those martyred during that period.

How to use it: be martyred for something (He was martyred for his religious beliefs.)

Common phrases: martyr someone, martyr believers

To treat someone cruelly and make them suffer, often because of their beliefs.

• Cruel rulers martyred the villagers for years.
• The authorities continued to martyr religious minorities.
• Families were martyred through imprisonment and constant threats.

Similar words: persecute, torment

Common phrases: martyr someone, martyr a minority