Word: Massacre
Part of Speech: Noun and Verb
Basic Definition: - As a noun, "massacre" means the brutal and excessive killing of many people. It usually involves violence and often happens in a sudden and shocking way. - As a verb, "to massacre" means to kill a large number of people indiscriminately, without regard for who they are.
Usage Instructions: - Use "massacre" when talking about events where many people are killed, especially in a violent or cruel manner. - You can use it in both formal and informal contexts, but be aware that it is a very serious word and should be used with care.
Example Sentences: 1. Noun: "The historical records detail the massacre of innocent civilians during the war." 2. Verb: "The army massacred the enemy troops in the surprise attack."
Advanced Usage: - In historical contexts, "massacre" often refers to specific events, like the "Boston Massacre" or the "Rwandan Genocide," where large groups of people were killed in a tragic and brutal manner. - It can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where something is destroyed or defeated in a significant way, such as in sports or competition. For example, "The team massacred their opponents in the final match."
Word Variants: - Massacred (past tense of the verb) - Massacring (present participle of the verb)
Different Meanings: - While "massacre" primarily refers to the killing of people, it can sometimes be used in a more general sense to mean a disastrous defeat or overwhelming loss in contexts like sports or competitions.
Synonyms: - Slaughter - Butchery - Annihilation - Extermination
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs using "massacre," but you might encounter phrases like "a massacre of ideas" to describe a situation where many ideas are criticized or rejected harshly.