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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mercy killing
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
After both of those mercy kill eliminations, there's only one more woman cut at the actual rose ceremony this week: poor Bibi.
—Ashley Iaconetti, Cosmopolitan, 16 Jan. 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
Spirit Airlines has since come out to deny any wrongdoing, saying that while Aldecosea was misinformed initially by the airline initially, a gate representative did not suggest mercy killing Pebbles.
—Sarah Weldon, Cosmopolitan, 8 Feb. 2018
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
After both of those mercy kill eliminations, there's only one more woman cut at the actual rose ceremony this week: poor Bibi.
—Ashley Iaconetti, Cosmopolitan, 16 Jan. 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
Spirit Airlines has since come out to deny any wrongdoing, saying that while Aldecosea was misinformed initially by the airline initially, a gate representative did not suggest mercy killing Pebbles.
—Sarah Weldon, Cosmopolitan, 8 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy killing
Noun
-
Davis has pleaded not guilty to the murder and gang enhancement charges.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The parents of a malnourished 16-month-old toddler who died at a Poway hospital last year were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder, San Diego police said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Her death was ruled a homicide, with the cause of death confirmed to be strangulation and blunt-force injuries to the head and neck.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
18 Feb. 2025
-
After reviewing the police investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, against Lopez, Barrington police said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The tipster said a friend had access to an AR-15 rifle, had just ordered a bulletproof vest and admired Nikolas Cruz, who carried out a February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 14 students and three school staff members.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The actual site of the massacre, however, has been relegated to history books.—
Sarah Holzmann,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Canada under Trudeau expanded the culture of death to adults as well, legalizing medically assisted suicide in 2016 and then expanding the situations in which it is permitted in 2021.—
The Editors,
National Review,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mercy killing
Cite this Entry
“Mercy killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy%20killing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share