Definition

1. Noun:
   • The killing or wounding of people, typically on a large scale during a conflict or violent event: "bloodshed" refers to violent acts that result in people being killed or injured, often involving the spilling of blood.
   • A situation characterized by slaughter or carnage: It can describe an event or period marked by extensive violence and loss of life.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The civil war led to years of terrible bloodshed. (The violent conflict caused many years of widespread killing.)
  • The leaders hoped to negotiate a peace treaty to avoid further bloodshed. (The leaders wanted to reach an agreement to prevent more violent killing.)
  • The history of that region is filled with stories of bloodshed and conquest. (The historical record of that area contains many accounts of violent battles and killings.)

Advanced Usage

• "to lead to bloodshed": to cause or result in violent conflict.
  • The political tensions threatened to lead to bloodshed. (The political disagreements risked causing violent conflict.)
• "to be no stranger to bloodshed": to be familiar with or have frequently experienced violence.
  • The ancient city was no stranger to bloodshed. (The old city had a long history of violent events.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bloodletting (n): A synonym often used for violent conflict, especially in a historical or political context. It can also have a literal, historical medical meaning.
  • The period was one of political bloodletting. (The era was characterized by violent political purges.)
• Bloodbath (n): A synonym emphasizing a particularly savage and extensive massacre.
  • The battle turned into a bloody bloodbath. (The fight became a scene of horrific slaughter.)

Synonyms

• Slaughter: The killing of many people or animals in a violent way.
• Carnage: The killing of a large number of people.
• Massacre: An indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people.

Related Phrases

• To shed blood: To cause blood to flow from a wound; used literally and figuratively to mean to engage in or be a victim of violence.
  • Too much blood has been shed over this dispute. (Too many people have been killed because of this argument.)

Related Idioms

• To have blood on one's hands: To be responsible for someone's death or for violent acts.
  • The dictator will forever have blood on his hands. (The dictator will always be responsible for the deaths he caused.)

Noun

1. indiscriminate slaughter
   • a bloodbath took place when the leaders of the plot surrendered
   • ten days after the bloodletting Hitler gave the action its name
   • the valley is no stranger to bloodshed and murder
   • a huge prison battue was ordered
2. the shedding of blood resulting in murder
   • he avenged the bloodshed of his kinsmen