# martyr

/ˈmɑɹtɝ/ (US) · /mˈɑːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/martyr
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. religious/political death

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is killed or suffers greatly because of their religious or political beliefs.

For teachers: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion or a principle.

- The historical figure became a martyr for the cause of national independence.
- The hagiography details how the saint was revered as a martyr after refusing to renounce his faith despite the threat of execution.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'for'.

### 3. seeking sympathy

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

someone who acts like they are suffering more than they really are to make others feel sorry for them.

For teachers: a person who exaggerates their suffering or performs their duties with a display of hardship to elicit sympathy or guilt from others.

- Stop being such a martyr and just ask for help with the dishes.
- Her constant sighs and complaints about the workload were seen as a martyr act by her colleagues, who were equally busy.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used sarcastically to criticize someone's behavior.

### 4. to kill for beliefs

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to kill someone because of their beliefs.

For teachers: to put someone to death for adhering to a belief, especially a religious one.

- The rebels were martyred for their role in the uprising.
- The regime sought to suppress the movement by martyring its leaders, but the strategy backfired by galvanizing public support.

## Examples

- He died a martyr for his religious beliefs.
- The political activist was viewed as a martyr by his followers after his long imprisonment.
- Historical accounts often romanticize the figure of the martyr, transforming individual suffering into a powerful symbol of collective resistance against an oppressive regime.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.