bloodshed

noun

blood·​shed ˈbləd-ˌshed How to pronounce bloodshed (audio)
1
: the shedding of blood
2
: the taking of life : slaughter

Examples of bloodshed in a Sentence

Years of violence and bloodshed have left much of the country in ruins.
Recent Examples on the Web The latest violence comes during an election year for Mexico, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador set to leave office after a six-year term that has been tarnished by record levels of bloodshed. Keegan Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The latest bloodshed came as Gaza’s health officials reported that the death toll from the war had risen above 30,000, a grim milestone that intensified pressure on Israel to end its military offensive. Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The bloodshed broke out Sunday morning over a protracted land dispute in the Middle Lai area of Enga Province, located over 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles) northwest of the capital, Port Moresby. Angus Watson, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024 The two of them shouted at each other as the older man pleaded for less bloodshed. Mary Zahn and Bill Janz, Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Europe, started the war and could end the bloodshed by surrendering and returning the Israeli hostages. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 And the steady drumbeat of bloodshed continued: This year alone has seen at least nine mass shootings, violence in which four or more people died, not including the attacker. Kate Christobek, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The bloodshed, and rivalries, continue today, González said. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2024 The section emphasizes work related to the shocking serial murders of women in and around the Mexican border city of Juarez, which has seen bloodshed for more than 30 years. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bloodshed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bloodshed was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near bloodshed

Cite this Entry

“Bloodshed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloodshed. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bloodshed

noun
blood·​shed -ˌshed How to pronounce bloodshed (audio)
1
: the shedding of blood
2
: the taking of life : slaughter
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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