martyrdom
death for one’s beliefs
The killing or violent death of a person because of their strong religious or political beliefs, often seen as brave or holy.
to face [martyrdom] for [beliefs/cause]
- The film tells the story of her martyrdom during the civil war.
- For centuries, his martyrdom has been commemorated in religious ceremonies.
- They risked martyrdom by openly opposing the dictatorship.
- The novel opens with the brutal martyrdom of a young priest.
- Many songs celebrate the martyrdom of those who died for freedom.
- The church remembers the martyrdom of its first leaders.
- He faced martyrdom because he refused to change his beliefs.
- Stories of martyrdom are important in many religions.
- Her brave martyrdom inspired other people to fight for justice.
- They teach children about the martyrdom of national heroes.
great suffering for a cause
A life or time of very hard suffering that someone accepts because of their strong beliefs or sense of duty.
to live in [martyrdom] for [someone/something]
- She described caring for her sick parents as a kind of quiet martyrdom.
- His years in exile were a slow martyrdom for the cause of democracy.
- The book explores the emotional martyrdom of activists who give up normal family life.
- Parenting a severely disabled child can become a daily martyrdom if support is lacking.
- He turned his chronic illness into a story of personal martyrdom for his art.
- He lived in martyrdom for many years because of his beliefs.
- Her life of martyrdom was full of work and pain.
- The writer talks about the quiet martyrdom of single mothers.
- For some people, looking after a sick parent feels like martyrdom.
- His long martyrdom finally ended when the war was over.
self-imposed, showy suffering
When someone acts as if they suffer a lot and always sacrifices themself, often to get attention or make others feel guilty.
to sink into [martyrdom] over [something]
- I wish she would drop the martyrdom and just ask for help.
- His endless martyrdom about how much he does for the family is exhausting.
- The article criticizes the culture of online martyrdom around unpaid overtime.
- He wraps every small problem in a story of noble martyrdom.
- Their relationship is stuck in a cycle of guilt and emotional martyrdom.
- Stop this martyrdom and tell us what you really want.
- His friends are tired of his martyrdom about working late.
- She uses her martyrdom to make other people feel bad.
- Their talk turned into a kind of shared martyrdom about how hard life is.
- He enjoys a little martyrdom and likes to say he does everything alone.
- Base: martyrdom
- Plural: martyrdom
embrace martyrdom
1willingly accept martyrdom
To willingly accept that you may die or suffer very much for your beliefs or cause, and to see this as right or meaningful.
- He chose to embrace martyrdom rather than betray his friends.
- The character ultimately embraces martyrdom, seeing his death as the only way to change society.
- Some followers were ready to embrace martyrdom if the protests turned violent.
martyrdom complex
1habit of playing the martyr
A way of thinking where a person often acts like a suffering hero or victim, usually to get attention, praise, or control over others.
- Her martyrdom complex makes it impossible to have an honest conversation about sharing chores.
- The therapist suggested that his martyrdom complex was hurting his relationships.
- Online commentators accused the politician of having a martyrdom complex after his dramatic resignation speech.
seek martyrdom
1try to become a martyr
To act in a way that looks like you want to be killed, punished, or badly hurt for your beliefs so that people will see you as a hero or martyr.
- The judge warned that the defendants seemed to be seeking martyrdom rather than a fair trial.
- Some extremists actively seek martyrdom, believing it will bring honor or reward.
- Critics said he was seeking martyrdom by refusing any form of compromise.