Definition of genocide

Short definition: The word genocide means the intentional killing or harming of a large group of people because of who they are, such as their ethnicity, religion, or nationality. People use it to describe one of the most serious crimes against humanity, where violence is used to erase an entire community.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word genocide? The word genocide is one of the heaviest and most serious words in the English language. It is used when talking about extreme violence, hatred, and the deliberate destruction of an entire group of people. This is not just about war or conflict, but about the intentional attempt to erase a community, their lives, culture, and future. In everyday discussions today, genocide is also a warning word, reminding us how dangerous unchecked power and hatred can become. Below, each meaning is explained in a clear but human way, without making it feel cold or purely academic.

Noun forms: genocide
Related: ethnic cleansing n., mass killing n.
Syllable: gen-o-cide

1. The deliberate killing of a group of people because of who they are.

   In its strongest and most serious meaning, genocide refers to the planned effort to destroy a group of people based on their ethnicity, religion, nationality, or identity. It is not random violence, but organized cruelty, where people are targeted simply for existing. This meaning carries deep pain and historical weight.

   History books teach about genocide to make sure future generations understand its horror.
   Survivors of genocide often spend their lives sharing their stories.
   The world promised never to forget the lessons learned from genocide.

   Synonyms: mass extermination, systematic killing, ethnic destruction, mass murder of a people, group eradication, population destruction, targeted slaughter, collective killing, identity-based killing, large-scale massacre, people elimination, group annihilation
   Antonyms: protection of life, human rights defense, peacekeeping, coexistence, tolerance, respect for diversity, cultural preservation, unity, reconciliation, harmony, inclusion, life-saving efforts

2. An organized attempt to erase a culture or identity.

   Genocide does not always happen only through killing. It can also include destroying language, traditions, families, and ways of life. When a group is forced to forget who they are, that too becomes part of genocide.

   Some communities face cultural genocide when their traditions are erased.
   For many people, the pain of genocide includes losing their heritage.
   Teachers explain how genocide attacks both lives and identity.

   Synonyms: cultural destruction, identity erasure, forced assimilation, heritage wiping, community destruction, cultural elimination, social erasure, peoplehood destruction, tradition removal, memory destruction, identity killing, cultural violence
   Antonyms: cultural protection, heritage preservation, diversity support, identity respect, tradition keeping, cultural celebration, community building, inclusion, multicultural respect, unity in diversity, cultural freedom, heritage care

3. A crime recognized under international law.

   In legal terms, genocide is considered one of the most serious crimes in the world. It is judged by international courts, and leaders can be held responsible for it. This shows that genocide is not only immoral, but also illegal in the eyes of humanity.

   The court charged the leaders with crimes related to genocide.
   International law treats genocide as a crime against all humanity.
   Many activists work to bring genocide cases to justice.

   Synonyms: crime against humanity, international crime, war crime at highest level, mass atrocity crime, extreme human rights violation, global justice case, severe humanitarian crime, legal atrocity, universal crime, international offense, major human crime, global violation
   Antonyms: justice, rule of law, human rights protection, accountability, peace law, international cooperation, fairness, legal protection, lawful conduct, ethical governance, moral responsibility, justice system

4. A word used to warn about dangerous hatred.

   Today, genocide is also used as a warning word in discussions. When people talk about genocide, they are often trying to stop violence before it reaches that point. It reminds society how quickly hatred can grow.

   Activists spoke out early, hoping to prevent genocide.
   News reports used the word genocide to warn the world about what was happening.
   People marched to raise awareness about the risk of genocide.

   Synonyms: danger warning, hatred alarm, violence red flag, human rights alert, crisis signal, moral warning, mass-violence alarm, abuse-of-power sign, conflict escalation sign, extreme-risk warning, atrocity alert, emergency moral call
   Antonyms: peace message, reconciliation effort, unity call, harmony promotion, conflict resolution, understanding effort, tolerance campaign, healing initiative, peacebuilding, cooperation message, kindness appeal, humanity reminder

5. A reminder of why memory and education matter.

   Genocide is not only a word about the past. It is also a reason why people believe in remembering history. Teaching about genocide helps future generations understand the cost of silence and the value of speaking up.

   Schools teach about genocide to encourage empathy and responsibility.
   Memorials exist to honor victims of genocide.
   Learning about genocide changed how she viewed justice and humanity.

   Synonyms: history lesson, moral reminder, memory of tragedy, warning from the past, education symbol, empathy lesson, responsibility reminder, humanity lesson, remembrance cause, awareness story, ethical teaching point, conscience reminder
   Antonyms: forgetting history, ignoring tragedy, silence about crimes, denial of suffering, lack of awareness, indifference, moral blindness, forgetting victims, historical neglect, careless memory, unlearned lessons, erased history