Slaughter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈslȯ-tər/ slaugh·ter

Meaning & Definition of Slaughter

Slaughter (noun)

  1. the act of killing; specifically, the butchering of livestock for market
  2. killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre), carnage

Slaughter (verb)

  1. to kill (animals) for food, butcher
  2. to kill in a bloody or violent manner, slay
  3. to kill in large numbers, massacre

Slaughter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the killing of a large number of people

    "all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter"

    similar: bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust, massacre
    related: bloodletting, bloodshed, foul play, homicide, killing, manslaughter, murder, slaying, mortality, annihilation, decimation, demolishing, destruction, devastation, eradication, extermination, genocide, pogrom, assassination, execution

Slaughter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to kill on a large scale

    "modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day"

    similar: butcher, massacre, mow (down)
    related: assassinate, croak (slang), dispatch, do in, execute, fell, murder, slay, smite, snuff, annihilate, blot out, decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, eradicate, exterminate, waste, wipe out

Related Entry: Self-slaughter (noun)

Self-slaughter is a different word from Slaughter. The synonyms below are for self-slaughter, not for slaughter.

  1. the act of deliberately killing oneself

    "members of the cult decided to hasten the end of their time in this world—and the start of their life in the next—with an orgy of self-slaughter"

    similar: self-destruction, self-murder, suicide
    related: hara-kiri, martyrdom, blood, foul play, homicide, murder, rubout, slaying, chance-medley, dispatch, killing, manslaughter, assassination, execution, euthanasia, mercy killing

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Slaughter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Slaughter:

bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust, massacre, butcher, mow (down)

Related Words for Slaughter

bloodletting, bloodshed, foul play, homicide, killing, manslaughter, murder, slaying, mortality, annihilation, decimation, demolishing, destruction, devastation, eradication, extermination, genocide, pogrom, assassination, execution, assassinate, croak, dispatch, do in, execute, fell, slay, smite, snuff, annihilate

Word Forms of Slaughter

Inflections: slaughtered, slaughtering, slaughters

Derived words: slaughterer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Slaughter

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slātra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slēan to slay slay

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Slaughter

self-slaughter, like a lamb to the slaughter, preslaughter

Frequently Asked Questions about Slaughter

What does "Slaughter" mean?

"Slaughter" means the act of killing; specifically, the butchering of livestock for market. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the act of killing; specifically, the butchering of livestock for market. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Slaughter"?

Other words for "Slaughter" include bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust, massacre, butcher and mow (down). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Slaughter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Slaughter"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Slaughter". Common alternatives include bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust, massacre, butcher and mow (down).

How do you use "Slaughter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Slaughter" in a sentence: "all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter"; "modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day".

Is "Slaughter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Slaughter" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Slaughter"?

"Slaughter" is pronounced /ˈslȯ-tər/ and divided into syllables as slaugh·ter.

What is the origin of the word "Slaughter"?

"Slaughter" comes from Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slātra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slēan to slay slay. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Slaughter" meaning "the killing of a large number of people"?

When "Slaughter" (noun) means the killing of a large number of people, synonyms include bloodbath, butchery, carnage, death, holocaust and massacre.