bloodbath
bloodbath — noun
1. a violent incident in which a great many people die, for example during a battle
a violent incident in which a great many people die, for example during a battle or a raid, with little hope of survival.
Peace talks broke down and the region descended into a bloody bloodbath that killed thousands.
collocation: bloody bloodbath
Ramón's documentary shows how the empire's collapse led to a bloodbath across the province.
After the bloodbath at the market square, aid workers counted over two hundred bodies.
The general ordered his troops to retreat before another bloodbath at the river crossing.
Historians describe the invasion as a bloodbath that wiped out nearly half the local population.
- massacre
emphasises the deliberate killing of defenceless people; often used for specific historical events
- slaughter
focuses on the brutal act of killing; used for both people and animals
- carnage
stresses the scene of dead bodies and destruction; slightly more literary
- butchery
highlights the cruel and unnecessary nature of the killing; informal and emotive
文法句型
bloodbath + in/at [location]
end in a bloodbath
用法筆記
This is a very strong word. It describes violence that is one-sided and extreme, not an ordinary battle between equal armies. It is stronger and more emotional than 'bloodshed' or 'slaughter'.
常見錯誤
2. a very difficult situation, especially in business or politics, in which many pe
a very difficult situation, especially in business or politics, in which many people lose their jobs, positions, or money, or in which a company or organisation suffers severe damage.
The stock market crash was a bloodbath for small investors who lost their life savings.
figurative use: financial context
Nala's company survived the bloodbath of layoffs that cut the workforce in half.
bloodbath of [layoffs]
The election was a bloodbath for the ruling party, which lost sixty seats.
Last quarter was a bloodbath for the industry, with three major banks declaring bankruptcy.
Dylan described the price war among supermarkets as a bloodbath that wiped out their profits.
- disaster
more general; can be used for smaller problems; less emotional
- catastrophe
similar strength but broader in scope; can describe natural events too
- rout
specifically a decisive defeat in a contest or competition; common in sports and politics
- meltdown
informal; suggests sudden and complete failure, especially financial
文法句型
bloodbath + for [affected group]
a bloodbath of [job losses / defeats]
用法筆記
This figurative sense is common in news and informal discussion about business, politics, and sports. Do not use it for everyday problems or small losses — it only fits large-scale, severe damage.