plural mercy killings
: the killing of someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any further suffering
Some called her death a mercy killing.
He is opposed to mercy killing. [=euthanasia]
Cite this Entry
“Mercy killing.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mercy%20killing. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
