C1noun formal 10K+

Massacre

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

Definition

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

Listen to definition

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