Martyr

noun; also verb (transitive)

/ˈmɑːrtər/

A person who suffers death or great sacrifice for a cause, belief, or principle, especially one who is killed for refusing to renounce a political or religious conviction.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The freedom movement venerated those who went to the gallows as martyrs, yet a mature democracy honours their memory best not through ritual mourning but by safeguarding the very liberties for which they laid down their lives.

Synonyms

sacrificevictimsuffererimmolationcasualtywitness

Antonyms

apostatetraitorrenegadeturncoat

🌱 Word Family

martyr (n), martyr (v), martyrdom (n), martyred (adj), martyrology (n), martyrise (v)

🔡 Root

Greek martys (gen. martyros) = witness; via Ecclesiastical Latin martyr; Old English martyr

📜 Etymology

From Old English martyr, borrowed from Ecclesiastical Latin martyr, from Ancient Greek martys (genitive martyros), meaning "witness."

🧠 Memory Hook

Greek "martys" = WITNESS: a martyr is one whose suffering bears ultimate witness to a belief — think of "smart art" turned tragic, art (a cause) one is willing to die for.

🏛️ History & Culture 📖 Seen in: Revolutionary Nationalists

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