bloodletting

noun

Definition of bloodlettingnext
as in bloodshed

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bloodletting The Dayton Peace Accords spring to mind, named for the city that hosted talks ending the three years of bloodletting and civil war in Bosnia in the early 1990. — Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026 And although allowing ships through would stanch the immediate bloodletting in the energy sector, other sectors might not spring back so quickly. — Paddy Hirsch, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026 But while a Netflix-WB union would have resulted in a bit less money overall being spent on films, Par-WB figures to be a bloodletting. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026 Apple even pushed through a rare round of cuts — though the bloodletting slowed by the end of the year. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bloodletting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodletting
  1. bloodshed
  2. murder
  3. slaughter
  4. carnage
  5. killing
  6. massacre
  7. slaying
  8. butchery
Noun
  • Jean called on Haitian authorities to take the necessary steps to stop the bloodshed and dismantle the armed groups.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • What is more likely to happen is a third uprising on the West Bank, followed by massive bloodshed between Palestinians and settlers.
    — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of bloodshed
Noun
  • The 63-year-old Davis was convicted Monday of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Clancy, 36, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the January 2023 strangulation deaths of her three children – Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months – at the family's Duxbury, Massachusetts, home.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of murder
Noun
  • They would be housed in a large, rectangular, concrete-block building that had originally been a holding pen and slaughter area for livestock.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Many leaders of the slaughter were tried and convicted by a United Nations war crimes tribunal that has now closed down.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of slaughter
Noun
  • The carnage began when Mize hit Junior Caminero, the first batter, with a 1-2 pitch.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • And, costume-character carnage aside, that’s just not as compelling.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of carnage
Noun
  • After a weeks-long trial, the jury found Donna guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder in the for-hire killing of Markel.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Judge Andy Porter found Tracy Walters not guilty by reason of insanity in the December 2021 killing of Cynthia Cervantes, a social worker and Navy veteran.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of killing
Noun
  • Poho said the case was about more than compensation, explaining that the effects of the massacre had been felt across the wider Sharpeville community.
    — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Just last month, two key organizers behind what used to be the only large-scale public commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre on Chinese soil were found guilty of inciting subversion.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of massacre
Noun
  • Charges were unsealed last week against one shooter in a deadly Gary gas station slaying, records show.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Jake Reiner opens up about his parents’ slaying and his brother’s arrest.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slaying
Noun
  • Malonga motioned to the ground behind us and described his vision of an outdoor cooking arena for conferences and events, as well as a bakery, a butchery, and a cheese workshop.
    — Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Hidden behind the tourist options across from the Astronomical Clock is Restaurant 420, a bright welcoming space that is packed with locals, with products are made in the basement bakery and butchery.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 21 July 2026
Definition of butchery

Browse Nearby Words

bloodlessness
bloodletting
bloodlettings
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Cite this Entry

“Bloodletting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodletting. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bloodletting

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bloodletting

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