2 syllables: mar, tyrs. Stress on mar.
MAHR-turz
/ˈmɑɹtɚz/
martyrs is pronounced MAHR-turz (/ˈmɑɹtɚz/). It has two syllables (mar-tyrs), with the stress on "mar". Martyrs are people who suffer death or injury for a cause, often recognized for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice. The term can refer to individuals who die for religious, political, or ideological beliefs, and is frequently used in historical or commemorative contexts. In modern usage, it can also describe someone who endures hardship for a principle, sometimes with a nuanced or ironic tone depending on the speaker.
Martyrs are people who suffer death or injury for a cause, often recognized for their unwavering commitment and sacrifice. The term can refer to individuals who die for religious, political, or ideological beliefs, and is frequently used in historical or commemorative contexts. In modern usage, it can also describe someone who endures hardship for a principle, sometimes with a nuanced or ironic tone depending on the speaker.
- Mistake: Over-aspirating the /t/ in the middle; fix by using a light, quick release like in ‘water’ when American. - Mistake: Treating the second syllable as a full vowel (e.g., /ˈmɑrtərˌeɪz/); correct to a reduced /ə/ or /ə/. - Mistake: Ending with an unvoiced /s/ instead of /z/; ensure voicing in the final segment. - Tip: Practice with minimal pairs: martyrs vs matters; martyrs vs matrons; martyrs vs martins to feel vowel and ending differences.
"The town honored its martyrs with a silent parade and a memorial stone."
"Religious traditions venerate the martyrs who died for their faith."
"The activists became martyrs in the public imagination after their deaths sparked widespread protests."
Pronounce as /ˈmɑː.tərz/ in UK and /ˈmɑːrtərz/ in US, with primary stress on the first syllable. The second syllable uses a schwa /ə/; end with a voiced z /z/. Ensure the /t/ is a clear, light touch, not a flap. Think: MAR-ters with a gentle, reduced second vowel and a voiced z. Listen for the subtle rhotic or non-rhotic influence depending on region.
Common errors: (1) Pronouncing the second syllable as /eər/ or /ɛər/ instead of a reduced /ə/. (2) Using a heavy /t/ in the middle; aim for a light, crisp /t/ similar to ‘water’ in American English. (3) Dropping the final /z/ or turning it into /s/; keep it voiced as /z/. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘matters’ to feel the difference in voicing and vowel quality.
In US English you’ll hear /ˈmɑːrtərz/ with rhoticity; the /r/ is pronounced. In UK English, /ˈmɑː.təz/ or /ˈmɑːt.ərz/ with a more reduced second vowel and variable /t/ timing; non-rhotic speakers may have less rhotic coloring on the ending. Australian English typically features a flattened /ɜː/ or /ə/ in the second syllable and a clear, voiced final /z/, with somewhat stronger vowel width than UK. Pay attention to the vowel length and rhotic presence to spot the differences.
The difficulty lies in the rapid transition from the stressed first syllable to the unstressed schwa in the second syllable, plus the final /z/ which must be voiced. The /t/ in the middle should be a lightly released stop rather than a strong aspirated plosive. Also, the contrast between /ɑː/ and /ɒ/ in various dialects can affect the initial vowel quality; aim for a clear, open back vowel and a soft but audible ending.
The word’s plural suffix may cause a syllable merge or rhyme shift depending on context; you can hear the ending as /-əz/ or /-ərz/ in some dialects. Practically, keep the final /r/ quality distinct if applicable (US) or reduce it in non-rhotic varieties while preserving the /z/ voice. Emphasize the fixed primary stress but allow a quick, subtle secondary cue in connected speech.
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- US: rhotic /r/ in the first syllable, final /z/ voiced; ensure /ˈmɑːrtərz/ with clear /ər/; keep the second syllable weakly stressed. - UK: often non-rhotic; the second syllable may be reduced to /tə/ or /təz/; the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel. Final /z/ remains voiced but may be less prominent. - AU: similar to US but with a more centralized second syllable; /ˈmɑːtəːz/ or /ˈmɑːtəz/ with a softly rolled or approximant-like /ɹ/ depending on speaker. IPA references: US /ˈmɑːrtərz/, UK /ˈmɑːtəz/ or /ˈmɑːtərz/; AU /ˈmɑːtəz/ or /ˈmɑːtəz/.
The word martyr comes from the Greek word martys (μάρτυς), meaning ‘witness’ or ‘testimony.’ In ancient Greece, a martys was someone who bore witness to events or oaths; in early Christian usage, it referred to someone who bore witness to, and sacrificed for, their faith, often under persecution. The Latinized form martyr emerged in Late Latin as martirus, then Middle English adopted martir or martird, eventually settling on martyr and its plural martyrs. The core sense shifted from a witness in a legal or testimonial sense to a person who dies for a belief, transforming into a symbol of religious or ideological steadfastness. Over centuries, the term broadened to secular contexts, describing individuals who endure oppression or sacrifice for a cause, even when not literally killed. While “martyr” retains a high-respect connotation in religious traditions, it can carry polemical or controversial overtones in political discourse, where invoking martyrs can shape public sentiment, legitimize movements, or condemn opponents. First known use in English dates to the 12th-13th centuries, with gradual semantic expansion through Latin and Greek roots to contemporary usage across religious and secular domains.
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Words that rhyme with "martyrs"
-ars sounds
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