martyrdom

[mahr-ter-duhm] / ˈmɑr tər dəm /

NOUN

suffering endured for sake of a cause

Synonyms

STRONGEST

persecution

STRONG

affliction agony anguish crucifixion devotion distress mortification ordeal pain sacrifice self-sacrifice torment torture unselfishness

WEAK

agonizing self-immolation

Antonyms

STRONG

comfort contentment happiness health joy pleasure relief

WEAK

satisfaction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The wife of the martyred supreme leader is alive, and the initial reports of her martyrdom were incorrect," it said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The Islamic Republic and Shia Islam are imbued with the idea of martyrdom.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Motherhood’s long association with martyrdom is a real turn-off.

From Salon • Feb. 4, 2026

A Shiite cleric, he lives frugally and was brought up in a religious tradition that reveres martyrdom.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Maybe he’d been hallucinating, or his martyrdom fantasies had gotten the better of him.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green