coup de grâce
Final killing stroke
A coup de grâce (French, "stroke of mercy") is a final blow that kills a wounded person or animal, ending their suffering.
By extension, it's any decisive action that finishes something off: The scandal was the coup de grâce for his political career.
The phrase implies something already weakened receiving its death stroke.
Final, fatal stroke
- final blowDecisive finishing strike
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- death knellOmen of ending
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
conclusion · termination · curtain · finis · end · checkmate · knockout punch · final stroke
Highest or final point
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- crescendoGradual increase in loudness
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
capstone · crowning moment · final act · resolution · turning point · decisive moment
Painless death for suffering
- euthanasiaDeliberate death for relief
- releaseTo let go
- reliefEasing of distress
- putting downCriticizing harshly or placing
Defeating completely in battle
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- routOverwhelming one-sided victory
downfall · collapse · toppling · unseating · capitulation · subjugation · crushing blow · decisive victory
deathblow
Final, fatal stroke
- final blowDecisive finishing strike
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- death knellOmen of ending
endgame · conclusion · termination · curtain · finis · end · checkmate · knockout punch · final stroke · dispatching
culmination
Highest or final point
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- crescendoGradual increase in loudness
pinnacle · capstone · crowning moment · final act · resolution · turning point · decisive moment
mercy killing
Painless death for suffering
- euthanasiaDeliberate death for relief
- releaseTo let go
- reliefEasing of distress
vanquishing
Defeating completely in battle
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
rout · downfall · collapse · toppling · unseating · capitulation · subjugation · crushing blow · decisive victory · knockout blow
coup de grâceslow death
Extended process of dying
death by a thousand cuts · torment · cruel and unusual punishment · torture · waterboarding
coup de grâcelife support
Systems maintaining vital functions
reprieve · stay of execution · resuscitation · lifeline · prolongation
grace, gracious, disgrace, coup, disgraceful, disgraced, coups, ungraceful, graciousness