coup-de-grace
Final killing blow
A coup de grâce is a final blow that kills a wounded person or animal, ending their suffering.
From French meaning "stroke of mercy." The term extends to any decisive finishing action: The scandal was the coup de grâce for his political career.
The phrase suggests something already weakened receiving its death stroke.
Final, fatal stroke
- killshotStrike that eliminates
- finisherOne who completes tasks
- executionCompleting a planned task
- dispatchSend with speed
knockout · headshot · fatality · couplet · termination
Highest or final point
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- crescendoGradual increase in loudness
denouement · finale · capstone · showdown · highpoint · swansong · endgame · conclusion
Deliberate death for relief
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- releaseTo let go
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
deathblow
Final, fatal stroke
dispatch · knockout · headshot · fatality · couplet · termination
culmination
Highest or final point
crescendo · denouement · finale · capstone · showdown · highpoint · swansong · endgame · conclusion
euthanasia
Deliberate death for relief
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- releaseTo let go
deliverance · relief · reprieve · kindness
coup-de-gracedeath by a thousand cuts
Cumulative minor injuries killing
slow death · torture · cruel and unusual punishment · tormenting · torment
coup-de-gracelife support
Systems maintaining vital functions
resuscitation · reprieve · stay of execution · revival · rescue
coup-de-gracehalf-measure
Inadequate partial action
hesitation · dithering · indecision · equivocation · unfinished business
coup, grace, coups, graces, graced, graceful, gracefully, graceless, gracefulness