death throes
Last desperate struggles
Death throes are the final, convulsive movements of a dying creature—the last physical struggle before death.
The phrase extends figuratively to anything in its final collapse: the death throes of a failing empire, the death throes of a doomed relationship.
The singular death throe is rare; the phrase almost always appears as a plural.
Sudden structural failure
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- unravelingProcess of coming undone
downfall · implosion · meltdown · freefall · tailspin · dissolution · decay · waning
Involuntary muscular contractions
- spasmsSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- writhingTwisting the body convulsively
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
- gaspingBreathing in sharp gulps
shuddering · tremors · seizures · flailing · contortions · paroxysms · rictus · grimace
Terminal illness comfort program
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
- moribundNear death, failing
- final breathDying person's last exhale
- expirationEnd of validity
passing · fading · slipping away · vigil · bedside · last rites · end of life · dying
Becoming extinct gradually
- vanishingCeasing to be visible
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- eradicationTotal elimination of something
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
extirpation · obliteration · decimation · loss · elimination · wipeout · last survivors · endangered
Capacity to withstand force
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- battleArmed military engagement
- last standUltimate defensive effort
- clingingGripping without release
grasping · rallying · defiance · futility · desperation · clutching · reaching · fighting back
collapse
Sudden structural failure
- disintegrationProcess of breaking apart
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
unraveling · downfall · implosion · meltdown · freefall · tailspin · dissolution · decay · waning · foundering
convulsions
Involuntary muscular contractions
- spasmsSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- writhingTwisting the body convulsively
- thrashingDecisive, lopsided defeat
gasping · shuddering · tremors · seizures · flailing · contortions · paroxysms · rictus · grimace · suffering
hospice
Terminal illness comfort program
- palliativeOffering relief, not remedy
- moribundNear death, failing
- final breathDying person's last exhale
expiration · passing · fading · slipping away · vigil · bedside · last rites · end of life · dying · mortal
dying out
Becoming extinct gradually
- vanishingCeasing to be visible
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- eradicationTotal elimination of something
annihilation · extirpation · obliteration · decimation · loss · elimination · wipeout · last survivors · endangered · habitat destruction
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- battleArmed military engagement
- last standUltimate defensive effort
clinging · grasping · rallying · defiance · futility · desperation · clutching · reaching · fighting back · refusing
- desperate measureslast resort, desperate plea, desperation move, last ditch, last chance
- endingsending, the end, finish, close, final
- sufferingagony, anguish, misery, pain, torment
death throesbirth
Coming into the world
emergence · genesis · first breath · coming into being · nativity
death throesprime of life
Period of peak vigor
full bloom · flourishing · thriving · heyday · golden age
death, deadly, deaths, deaden, deathly, undead, deadened, dead, deathlike