What does "bloodbath" mean?
Indiscriminate killing or slaughter; a massacre.
Bloodbath
/ˈblʌdˌbæθ/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Indiscriminate killing or slaughter; a massacre.
- Grammar: bloodbath is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: battue, bloodletting, bloodshed, bloodshed.
- Useful contrasts: calm, measured language, neutral description.
- Usage evidence: The police wanted to avoid a bloodbath.
How to use "bloodbath"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bloodbath" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bloodbath" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bloodbath" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bloodbath" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bloodbath" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "battue" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bloodbath", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Indiscriminate killing or slaughter; a massacre.
"There lay the steed; here lay the man; Gude friends that day did twin: They leuch na a' to the feast that cam Whan the het bluid-bath was done."
- 2 indiscriminate slaughter wordnet
- 3 An aggressive or very violent contest or confrontation.
"Although the Hampden Park blood bath of '94 caused Yale and Harvard to break off football relations for the next two years, they kept close watch on each other."
- 4 An upset (as of a game with unexpected results, or a national presidential convention) or heavy defeat. figuratively
"Robert Halfon, a senior Tory backbencher, warned that a general election now would be a “bloodbath” for his party."
- 5 A large financial loss or massive layoff brought about by negative economic conditions. figuratively
"In an interview after the victory, Daley sought to assure Blacks that there would be no personnel bloodbath at City Hall."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A bath taken in warm blood used as a restorative or medical treatment. literally
"On Blood-Baths: An Historical Notice. By Dr. Hecker. According to a dark tradition which is incidentally mentioned by Pliny, the ancient kings of Egypt used to bathe in human blood when they were seized with leprosy."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The police wanted to avoid a bloodbath."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bloodbath"?
Common synonyms include: battue, bloodletting, bloodshed, bloodshed, blue ruin, breakup.
How do you use "bloodbath" in a sentence?
The police wanted to avoid a bloodbath.
How do you pronounce "bloodbath"?
Pronounced /ˈblʌdˌbæθ/.
Etymology
From blood + bath, the latter used referring to a metaphorical deluge. Compare West Frisian bloedbad (“bloodbath”), Dutch bloedbad (“bloodbath”), German Blutbad (“bloodbath”), Danish blodbad (“bloodbath”), Norwegian Bokmål blodbad (“bloodbath”), Swedish blodbad (“bloodbath”), Icelandic blóðbad (“bloodbath”).