bloodletting
noun
blood·let·ting
ˈbləd-ˌle-tiŋ 
1
2
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
Bill OttBut 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
Terry TeachoutExamples of bloodletting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The latest sequel introduces newcomers like Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders, but brings back franchise veterans Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt for more on-screen bloodletting.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 18 July 2025
Mass migration into the two new nations set off ghastly religious bloodletting, leaving up to two million people dead.
—Atul Loke, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Indeed, if anyone thought the entertainment business’ bloodletting was over after last year’s series of layoffs, Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. Discovery disabused them of that notion in recent days.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
In the midst of such bloodletting, the launch of such a project may seem surprising at best and a waste of resources at worst.
—Kendall Bianchi, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2017
See All Example Sentences for bloodletting
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Brent Lang, Variety, 18 July 2025
Mass migration into the two new nations set off ghastly religious bloodletting, leaving up to two million people dead.
—Atul Loke, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Indeed, if anyone thought the entertainment business’ bloodletting was over after last year’s series of layoffs, Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. Discovery disabused them of that notion in recent days.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
In the midst of such bloodletting, the launch of such a project may seem surprising at best and a waste of resources at worst.
—Kendall Bianchi, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2017
See All Example Sentences for bloodletting
Cite this Entry
“Bloodletting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bloodletting. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bloodletting
noun
blood·let·ting
ˈbləd-ˌlet-iŋ
1
: the opening of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood
Medical Definition
bloodletting
noun
blood·let·ting
-ˌlet-iŋ
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