C1nounformal10K+

Massacre

UK /["/ˈmæsəkə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈmæsəkər/"]/

Definition

the killing of a large number of people especially in a cruel way

In simple words: A violent killing of many people at once.

Examples

  • the bloody massacre of innocent civilians
  • Nobody survived the massacre.
  • He accused the troops of the indiscriminate massacre of civilians.
  • The massacre was carried out by enemy troops.
  • The game was a 10–0 massacre for our team.

Usage notes

Use in serious contexts, especially in news or history. Avoid in casual conversations as it could seem insensitive.

Grammar pattern

massacre + object

Memory hint

Think of 'mass' for many and 'acre' for a large area – imagine many people killed in a large field.

Collocations

  • appalling
  • bloody
  • brutal
  • be responsible for
  • carry out
  • commit
  • take place
  • massacre by
  • the victims of a massacre

Synonyms

  • slaughter
  • carnage
  • butchery
  • bloodbath
  • genocide

Antonyms

  • peace
  • safety
  • unity

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'massacre' vs 'massacre' (different pronunciations)
  • Using 'massacre' to describe small incidents of violence
  • Overusing in casual conversation