ˈmärd.əˌrīz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: Middle English martirizen, from Medieval Latin martyrizare, from Late Latin martyr + Latin -izare -ize — more at martyr
transitive verb
: to make a martyr of: as
a. : to put to death for adhering to a faith or belief
b. : to cause great suffering to : torment
c. : to give the appearance of being a martyr to
an air of martyrized virtue
intransitive verb
: to become or behave like a martyr