Definition

Noun: A killing, typically of a woman or girl by a male family member, carried out under the belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family, often due to perceived violations of cultural or religious codes related to sexuality, marriage, or behavior.

Usage

This term is used to describe a specific, severe act of violence justified by the perpetrator(s) as a means to restore family honor. It is a formal, sociological, and legal term. - The concept of an honor killing is condemned by international human rights organizations. - The court case centered on whether the murder was a premeditated honor killing.

Examples

• The documentary investigated several cases of honor killing in the region.
• Activists are working to change laws that provide leniency for perpetrators of honor killing.
• She fled her home country for fear of becoming a victim of an honor killing.

Advanced Usage

• "So-called honor killing": This phrasing is often used by critics, journalists, or activists to explicitly reject the legitimacy of the "honor" justification and to highlight the criminal nature of the act.
  • The report detailed the rise in so-called honor killings.

Variants and Related Words

• Honor-based violence (n): A broader term encompassing a range of violent acts (including forced marriage, assault, and killing) motivated by the same perceived need to defend family honor.
• Femicide (n): The killing of a woman or girl, particularly by a man, on account of her gender. An honor killing is one specific form of femicide.

Synonyms

• Dishonor killing (n): A less common synonym that reframes the act by focusing on the dishonor of the violent act itself.
• Crime of honor (n): A descriptive phrase with similar meaning.

Related Phrases

• To commit an honor killing: The verb phrase used to describe the perpetrator's action.
  • He was convicted for committing an honor killing.
• Victim of an honor killing: The standard phrase to identify the person killed.
  • She was remembered as a victim of an honor killing.

Noun

1. an ancient tradition still sometimes observed; a male member of the family kills a female relative for tarnishing the family image