Definition

Noun: 1. A sport involving the hunting, wounding, or killing of animals for entertainment. This term specifically refers to activities where the injury or death of an animal is the central objective and a source of spectacle or pleasure for participants or spectators.

Usage

The term "blood sport" is used to categorize and often criticize activities where animals are deliberately harmed. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying cruelty and a lack of necessity beyond entertainment. * It is commonly used in discussions about animal welfare, ethics, and law. * It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a blood sport, several blood sports).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Fox hunting with hounds is considered a traditional blood sport in some countries.
  • Many animal rights activists campaign for the banning of all blood sports.
  • The documentary exposed the brutal reality of various blood sports still practiced today.

Advanced Usage

• "to condemn something as a blood sport": To strongly criticize an activity for its cruelty to animals.
  • The new law condemned badger baiting as a barbaric blood sport.
• Used figuratively to describe a fiercely competitive human activity where "victims" are harmed professionally or personally.
  • Some say modern politics has become a blood sport, focused on destroying opponents.

Variants and Related Words

• Bloodsport (one word): An alternative, less common spelling.
• Bloodthirsty (adj): Having or showing a desire for violence or cruelty. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Animal fighting (more specific, e.g., dog fighting, cockfighting)
• Cruel sport
• Vermin control (This is a term often used by proponents to justify activities like fox hunting, framing it as a necessary service rather than a sport.)

Related Phrases

• To bait an animal: To provoke or attack an animal, especially for sport.
  • Bear baiting was a common blood sport in medieval times.

Idioms

• A sport of kings: This idiom traditionally refers to activities like horse racing or falconry. It is sometimes used ironically or euphemistically to describe expensive blood sports like fox hunting, which were historically associated with the aristocracy.

Noun

1. sport that involves killing animals (especially hunting)