martyrolatry
Martyrolatry (noun): The worship or veneration of martyrs — individuals who have suffered death or extreme hardship for a cause, especially a religious or political one. This term denotes an excessive or cult-like devotion to martyrs, often treating them as objects of religious or ideological adoration.
- (The church avoided treating martyrs as divine beings worthy of worship.)
- (The movements venerate their dead as objects of devotion.)
"to practice martyrolatry": to engage in the worship or excessive veneration of martyrs.
- The sect’s rituals clearly practice martyrolatry, with altars dedicated to executed followers. (They treat martyrs as objects of worship.)
"a form of martyrolatry": a type or manifestation of such veneration.
- The annual parade honoring the revolutionary dead is a form of martyrolatry. (The event elevates the dead to a revered status.)
Martyrolater (noun): a person who practices martyrolatry; a worshiper of martyrs.
- The martyrolater placed flowers at the statue of the executed leader every day. (A devotee of martyr veneration.)
Martyr (noun): a person who dies or suffers greatly for a cause.
- Many saints were martyrs for their faith. (They died for their beliefs.)
Martyrdom (noun): the death or suffering of a martyr.
- His martyrdom inspired a generation of followers. (His sacrifice for the cause.)
- Hagiography: the writing of the lives of saints; sometimes used metaphorically for uncritical veneration of martyrs.
- Cult of martyrs: a group or practice centered on revering martyrs.
Make a martyr of oneself: to behave in a way that invites suffering or sacrifice, often for attention or moral advantage.
- She made a martyr of herself by working overtime without complaint. (She presented herself as a suffering figure.)
Martyr complex: a psychological tendency to seek suffering or persecution to gain sympathy or moral superiority.
- His martyr complex made him refuse help even when he needed it. (He insisted on suffering alone.)