as in murder
the act of ending the life of someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any further suffering
Some called her death a mercy killing.
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Recent Examples of mercy killing
If the mercy killing wasn’t a big enough of a twist, the introduction of three outsiders who stumble upon the girls’ cannibalistic feast will do it.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Consider this review a mercy killing.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
More secrets emerge, Chappelle says there’s no time to explain, even mercy killing the dog.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 19 Jan. 2025
DJ Anne Harris is largely focused on mercy killing her relationship with Siobhan for Siobhan’s own good.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2021
The doctor carried out the mercy killing with her family’s consent and support.
—Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2019
The woman later gave mixed signals about her desire to die, but the doctor, in close consultation with the woman’s family, decided to go ahead with the mercy killing.
—Mike Corder, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2019
In the Bollinger case, a handicapped baby was refused a lifesaving operation in Chicago in 1915, touching off a national debate over mercy killing the mentally disabled.
—Grazie Pozo Christie, National Review, 13 Feb. 2018
In fact, the roots of mercy killing in modern times are lodged in the unsavory and downright savage practices of the last century.
—Grazie Pozo Christie, National Review, 13 Feb. 2018
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Consider this review a mercy killing.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
More secrets emerge, Chappelle says there’s no time to explain, even mercy killing the dog.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 19 Jan. 2025
DJ Anne Harris is largely focused on mercy killing her relationship with Siobhan for Siobhan’s own good.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 May 2021
The doctor carried out the mercy killing with her family’s consent and support.
—Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2019
The woman later gave mixed signals about her desire to die, but the doctor, in close consultation with the woman’s family, decided to go ahead with the mercy killing.
—Mike Corder, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2019
In the Bollinger case, a handicapped baby was refused a lifesaving operation in Chicago in 1915, touching off a national debate over mercy killing the mentally disabled.
—Grazie Pozo Christie, National Review, 13 Feb. 2018
In fact, the roots of mercy killing in modern times are lodged in the unsavory and downright savage practices of the last century.
—Grazie Pozo Christie, National Review, 13 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy killing
Noun
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Abby’s friends disarm Ellie, and then Abby murders Joel in front of Ellie’s eyes.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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Robbery, rape, kidnapping and murder were frequent.—
Lauren Vuong,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sheriff’s office homicide detectives have taken over the investigation from Florida City police, Rodriguez said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
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This investigation is ongoing; any information regarding the shooting may be shared with Little Rock police homicide detectives at (501) 371-4660.—
Jesse Cain,
Arkansas Online,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What began in Manchester with an 1819 massacre of peasants gave birth to the world's first workers' movements, trade unions and an idea of equality that has fueled social justice and labor movements around the world.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2025
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Commentators sometimes compare dictators to Herod, the king who ordered the massacre of children in his quest to kill the infant Christ.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Now!, another Sundance doc about the landmark 1988 student protest that transformed accessibility rights in the U.S.; and Life After, where director Reid Davenport investigates assisted suicide laws for disabled people.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Mar. 2025
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Marijuana legalization, assisted suicide, voting procedures and school curriculum are additional examples of issues where states have set their own policies.—
Claire B. Wofford,
The Conversation,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mercy killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy%20killing. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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