bloodletting
noun
blood·let·ting
| \ ˈbləd-ˌle-tiŋ
\
\
Definition of bloodletting
1
: phlebotomy
2
: bloodshed
3
: elimination of personnel or resources
4
: severe criticism
Take the English, the undisputed champions at verbal bloodletting.— Bill Ott
: a harsh verbal or written attack
But what makes "Cinderella & Company" more than just a book-length bloodletting is Hoelterhoff's unexpected sympathy for most of the singers about whom she writes.— Terry Teachout
Examples of bloodletting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This year, the bloodletting seems particularly noticeable. — Angela Watercutter, WIRED, "The Best Things at Comic-Con Aren't at Comic-Con," 19 July 2019 The reorganization and cost-cutting plan is reminiscent of the bloodletting that followed the financial crisis in 2008. — Jack Ewing, New York Times, "Deutsche Bank Scales Back Ambitions, Announcing Job Cuts and Reorganization," 7 July 2019 Early remedies included bloodletting, an evolving and increasingly sophisticated practice that relied on specific charts and instructions. — Sibbie O'sullivan, Washington Post, "Migraines have plagued me for years. A new book puts my pain in perspective.," 10 June 2019 The bloodletting contrasts with nascent peace efforts between Myanmar’s military and armed rebel groups elsewhere, mainly along the rugged borders with Thailand and China. — Jon Emont, WSJ, "Buddhist Violence Portends New Threat to Myanmar," 4 Jan. 2019 Despite the gesture, community activists say the bloodletting will only stop when there is real, meaningful change. — Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, "Chicago's children caught in the crossfire: Alarming number of minors shot or killed in violence-plagued city," 31 Aug. 2018 The bloodletting between Live Nation and AEG has grown fierce in recent years and rippled through the industry. — Ben Sisario And Graham Bowley, New York Times, "Live Nation Rules Music Ticketing, Some Say With Threats," 1 Apr. 2018 The public bout of political bloodletting gripped the country for days. — David Winning, WSJ, "A Battle for the Soul of Conservatism Plays Out in Australia," 24 Aug. 2018 The book, whose cover shows a baby doll with a partially removed scalp, includes depictions of bloodletting. — Marisa Gerber, latimes.com, "'A slow, excruciating, painful death': Graphic novelist convicted in fiancee's grisly 2016 slaying," 20 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bloodletting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for bloodletting
bloodletting
noun
English Language Learners Definition of bloodletting
: the former practice of taking some blood out of the bodies of sick people to heal them
: the practice of causing someone to bleed as part of a religious ceremony
: the killing of people
See the full definition for bloodletting in the English Language Learners Dictionary
bloodletting
noun
blood·let·ting
| \ -ˌlet-iŋ
\
\