massacre
massacre — noun
1. a violent event in which many people are killed, especially ordinary people who
a violent event in which many people are killed, especially ordinary people who cannot defend themselves, in a way that is widely seen as cruel and shocking.
Tariq read about the massacre in his textbook and felt a chill run down his spine.
A stone monument near the old square lists the names of everyone killed in the massacre.
the [place] massacre — referring to a specific killing event
Survivors of the massacre later gave evidence at the international war crimes trial.
Historians estimate that over four hundred civilians died in the 1943 massacre.
A United Nations report described the massacre in shocking detail.
- slaughter
can also refer to the killing of animals for food; more neutral in tone
- carnage
focuses on the bloody result and scene of killing rather than the event itself
- genocide
specifically the systematic destruction of an entire racial, political, or cultural group; narrower and more precise
- mass murder
a legal term that does not carry the same connotation of cruelty or helpless victims
文法句型
a/the massacre of [group] by [perpetrator]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' to identify the victims and 'by' to identify the perpetrators (the massacre of civilians by government forces). Frequently appears with a specific year or place name that identifies a historical event.
常見錯誤
2. a sports game, competition, or election in which one side loses by an extremely
a sports game, competition, or election in which one side loses by an extremely large and humiliating margin.
The 10–1 scoreline was the worst massacre in the school's basketball history.
score pattern: [score] was the worst massacre
Romi called the election a complete massacre because her party lost every district.
Fans started leaving the stadium when the game turned into a massacre.
The cup final was a massacre, with the champions winning 68–12.
- rout
emphasizes that the losing side fled or scattered in disorder; mostly sports and military
- drubbing
informal, often implies the losing team was physically outplayed; slightly old-fashioned
- shellacking
American English informal, very strong defeat; less common in British contexts
文法句型
a massacre for [team/party]
turn into a massacre
用法筆記
Most common in informal sports journalism and fan commentary. Not used for close games or narrow defeats — the losing side must have been completely outclassed. Can extend to business competition or political elections.
常見錯誤
massacre — verb
1. to violently kill a large group of people, especially those who are not soldiers
to violently kill a large group of people, especially those who are not soldiers or cannot fight back, in a brutal one-sided attack.
The invading army massacred the entire village, including women and children.
pattern: massacre + [group of people]
Court documents show that the rebels massacred over three hundred prisoners that night.
collocation: massacred + [number] + [victims]
The general was convicted for ordering his troops to massacre civilians.
Hassan's grandmother told him how the soldiers massacred her entire family during the war.
The documentary showed how armed groups massacred innocent people in the attack.
- slaughter
more general; can apply to animals killed for food, while 'massacre' is almost always about people
- butcher
emphasizes the violent, messy nature of the killing; can also mean to ruin or spoil
- annihilate
suggests complete destruction; can be used literally (people) or figuratively (an army, a city)
文法句型
massacre + [group of people]
be massacred by [perpetrator]
用法筆記
The direct object must always be a group — never use with a single person as object. Frequently used in passive constructions (were massacred). Common in historical, journalistic, and legal contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to beat a competitor, team, or political group by an extremely large number of p
to beat a competitor, team, or political group by an extremely large number of points or votes, making the result completely one-sided.
The home team massacred their opponents 58–6 in the rugby final.
score pattern: massacre + opponent + [score]
Renata's party was massacred in the local elections, winning only two seats.
political context: be massacred in [election]
The defending champions massacred the newcomers 9–0 on opening day.
If the team repeats last week's poor performance, they will be massacred in the semi-final.
文法句型
massacre + [opponent] + [score]
be massacred in/by [competition]
用法筆記
Always implies a very wide margin — not used for close or respectable defeats. Frequently in sports commentary and election analysis. The passive form ('were massacred') is especially common.