mercy killing

noun

Examples of mercy killing in a Sentence

Some called her death a mercy killing.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Kelson teaches Spike how to grow beyond his parents, giving Isla a mercy killing and allowing Spike to place her skull on the top of the structure. Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 While this was a funeral rite for some in the Roman period, the researchers think the man was decapitated as a mercy killing after the lion bite. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025 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

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mercy killing was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mercy killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy%20killing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mercy killing

noun

Medical Definition

mercy killing

noun
mer·​cy kill·​ing ˈmər-sē-ˌkil-iŋ How to pronounce mercy killing (audio)

Legal Definition

mercy killing

noun
mer·​cy kill·​ing

More from Merriam-Webster on mercy killing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!