Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who is killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or other beliefs: A martyr is someone who chooses to endure death or severe suffering rather than renounce their faith or principles.
   • A person who exaggerates their discomfort or makes a great show of suffering: Informally, a martyr can refer to someone who complains excessively about the hardships they bear.

2. Verb:

   • To kill or persecute (someone) for their beliefs: To make someone a martyr by putting them to death or causing them to suffer for their faith or convictions.
   • To torment or torture; to cause to suffer: To subject someone to great pain or hardship.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Joan of Arc is celebrated as a martyr and a saint.
  • He became a martyr for the cause of freedom.
  • (Informal) Don't be such a martyr about doing the dishes; just help out.

• Verb:

  • Many early Christians were martyred for their faith.
  • She felt martyred by the constant demands of her job.

Advanced Usage

• "To make a martyr of oneself": To act as if one is suffering greatly, often to gain sympathy or admiration.

  • He's always making a martyr of himself by working late, but he could easily delegate some tasks.

• "Martyr complex": A psychological condition where a person persistently feels the need to suffer or sacrifice for others, often to gain moral superiority or elicit gratitude.

  • Her martyr complex makes it difficult for her to accept help from anyone.

Variants and Related Words

• Martyrdom (n): The condition, sufferings, or death of a martyr.

  • He faced martyrdom with remarkable courage.

• Martyrize (v): A less common verb meaning to make a martyr of.

  • Historians debate attempts to martyrize the political leader after his death.

Synonyms

• Noun: Victim, sufferer, sacrifice.
• Verb: Persecute, torment, sacrifice.

Related Phrases

• "A martyr to something": Someone who suffers constantly from a particular ailment or problem.

  • He's been a martyr to back pain for years.

• "Willing martyr": Emphasizes the voluntary aspect of the sacrifice.

  • She was a willing martyr for her political ideals.

Noun

1. one who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty for refusing to renounce their religion
2. one who suffers for the sake of principle

Verb

1. torture and torment like a martyr
2. kill as a martyr
   • Saint Sebastian was martyred