martyrdom
Death for belief
Martyrdom is death or suffering endured for a belief, cause, or principle—especially religious faith.
Early Christian martyrdom established a template: refusing to renounce one's faith despite torture or execution.
The term extends to secular causes: She achieved martyrdom for the revolutionary movement.
Figuratively, martyrdom describes exaggerated claims of suffering or self-sacrifice: His constant martyrdom about doing the dishes grew tiresome.
Giving up something precious
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sainthoodState of being canonized
- canonizationOfficial declaration of sainthood
- venerationProfound admiring respect
holiness · sanctity · beatification · piety · salvation · redemption · intercession · relics
Surrendering for others' benefit
- immolationSacrificial killing, often burning
- offeringSomething presented or given
- deathCessation of life
- bloodshedKilling and wounding
ultimate price · laying down life · selflessness · dedication · renunciation · surrender · atonement · redemption
Unjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- inquisitionSustained, probing investigation
- pogromViolent persecution of minorities
- genocideSystematic annihilation of a people
execution · torture · imprisonment · exile · suffering · victimization · repression · intolerance
Sworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
- remembranceAct of holding something in mind
inspiration · example · influence · veneration · shrine · feast day · anniversary · monument
Fortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
resolve · conviction · fearlessness · defiance · resistance · endurance · perseverance · tenacity
sacrifice
Giving up something precious
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sainthoodState of being canonized
- canonizationOfficial declaration of sainthood
veneration · holiness · sanctity · beatification · piety · salvation · redemption · intercession · relics · shrine
self-sacrifice
Surrendering for others' benefit
- immolationSacrificial killing, often burning
- offeringSomething presented or given
- deathCessation of life
bloodshed · ultimate price · laying down life · selflessness · dedication · renunciation · surrender · atonement · redemption · liberation
oppression
Unjust exercise of power
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- inquisitionSustained, probing investigation
- pogromViolent persecution of minorities
genocide · execution · torture · imprisonment · exile · suffering · victimization · repression · intolerance · discrimination
testimony
Sworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- commemorationAct of honoring memory
remembrance · inspiration · example · influence · veneration · shrine · feast day · anniversary · monument · hagiography
courage
Fortitude facing danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
steadfastness · resolve · conviction · fearlessness · defiance · resistance · endurance · perseverance · tenacity · unwavering
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
- Christian persecutionNero, Colosseum, crucifixion, early church, catacombs
- overgiving problemsovergiving, enabling, codependence, people-pleasing, smothering
- hagiographysaints' lives, hagiographer, hagiography, vita, vitae
- dramatic behaviortantrum, outburst, meltdown, scene, fit
- honorhonor, honor code, code of honor, personal honor, word of honor
martyrdomapostasy
Renunciation of former beliefs
abjuration · renunciation · recantation · denial · desertion
martyrdomhedonism
Pursuit of gratification
self-indulgence · self-gratification · bliss · indulgence · ecstasy
martyrdomself-preservation
Instinct to survive danger
survival · cowardice · capitulation · collaboration · submission
- Christian martyrdomDeath for religious faith