massacre
massacre Lexical Profile
massacre Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of a large number of people.
"The historical monument commemorates the victims of the seventeenth-century massacre."
An overwhelming defeat or rout in a sporting contest or competition.
"With the visiting team trailing by forty points at halftime, the championship match quickly turned into a massacre."
• verb
To brutally and indiscriminately kill a large number of people or animals.
"Invading armies in antiquity often sought to massacre the inhabitants of captured fortresses."
To defeat an opponent overwhelmingly in a game or competition.
"The reigning champions are expected to massacre the amateur squad in the opening round."
To perform or render a piece of music, drama, or language very badly.
"He managed to massacre the French pronunciation during his welcoming speech."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French 'massacre' (meaning 'slaughterhouse' or 'butchery'), from Old French 'macacre', of uncertain ultimate origin but possibly related to Latin 'macellum' (provisions market or butcher's shop).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.