holocaust

noun

ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst How to pronounce holocaust (audio)
Definition of holocaustnext
1
as in inferno
a destructive burning the holocaust caused by the ignited chemicals completely destroyed the factory and several surrounding homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people as many as 2,000,000 people may have perished in the holocaust perpetrated by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 holocaust The result is that proliferation became the primary concern about nuclear technology for decades, not the risk of full global holocaust. — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2026 As holocaust survivors get older and die, educators around the world are concerned about younger generations having little access to survivor testimonies. — Lauren Costantino march 27, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026 In Silo, references to a toxic world imply that half a million people were sent underground to protect them from the horrors of a nuclear holocaust. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026 Like Godzilla coming out less than a decade after America’s atomic holocaust over Japan, Parallax‘s debut in 1974 was only five years after the RFK and MLK assassinations. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for holocaust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for holocaust
  1. inferno
  2. massacre
  3. fire
  4. slaughter
Noun
  • Hiding underneath a desk in a classroom was an 8-foot python, which fire officials say started the inferno.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The inferno that follows, as the betrayer’s dragon sets fire to both armies and then Tumbleton itself, will be rendered with both practical flames and CGI.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of inferno
Noun
  • But dark jokes about a nearly half-century-old massacre have a way of obscuring its continuing relevance.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But the news conference also revealed that Tuesday's massacre was not law enforcement's first encounter with Williams.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of massacre
Noun
  • Since 1990 people have gathered from across the country and around the world in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for the annual celebration of fire, free-thinking and communal living called Burning Man.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The fire resulted in the loss of Smothermon's other grandson, two dogs and dozens of guinea pigs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fire
Noun
  • Or an announcement that wildlife officials are planning a statewide slaughter of black bears.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Reynolds also described unsanitary conditions due to the slaughter area being outdoors with dirt and gravel.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of slaughter

Browse Nearby Words

Hollywood
holocaust
holocausts
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Holocaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/holocaust. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on holocaust

Nglish: Translation of holocaust for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about holocaust

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All