carnage

[kahr-nij]

noun

1. the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre.

2. fighting or other violence.

   brutal carnage on the football field.

3. great damage, utter defeat, or chaos.

   We are charting a way forward after the Election Day carnage.

4. Archaic.,  dead bodies, as of those slain in battle.

carnage

/ ˈkɑːnɪdʒ /

noun

1. extensive slaughter, esp of human beings in battle

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnage¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, from Italian carnaggio, from Medieval Latin carnāticum “payment or offering in meat,” equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) “flesh” + -āticum noun sufffix; -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnage¹

C16: from French, from Italian carnaggio, from Medieval Latin carnāticum, from Latin carō flesh

Example Sentences

Parents have described changes to school transport at the start of the academic year as "absolute carnage", saying it has made it more difficult for pupils to get to school.

From BBC

We'll probably go out for the day somewhere, more for our mental health as well, because if you stay inside with them, it's just carnage.

From BBC

The official estimate of the carnage in Gaza — 60,000 direct deaths, including 18,500 children — is very likely a significant undercount.

From Salon

Rank-and-file Democrats overwhelmingly want an end to the carnage, an end to unconditional military aid to Israel, and policies rooted in human rights and international law.

From Los Angeles Times

After all this carnage, I ask him too if Donbas should be surrendered to bring peace.

From BBC

Related Words

• bloodshed 
• butchery 
• crime 
• havoc 
• killing 
• mass murder 
• slaughter 
• slaying www.thesaurus.com
• warfare