Definition

The killing of a large number of people or animals, often in a violent or brutal way.

Example

The battle left behind a scene of carnage that was hard to comprehend.

Conversation

Did you hear about the movie that shows the carnage of war?

Yeah, I read some reviews; it sounds pretty intense.

I can't believe they would depict such carnage on screen.

Sometimes, it’s important to show the reality of conflict, even if it's hard to watch.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Carnage is derived from the Latin "carn-" (meaning flesh) and the suffix "-age" (indicating a collection or result of). The word refers to the result of slaughter or the collection of flesh from the dead, particularly in a violent context.

Memory Tip

Think of 'flesh' ('carn-') being involved in a 'result' ('-age') of violence, which helps you remember that carnage refers to the destruction of flesh, especially in battle.

Visually Confused Words