deathblows
Killing blows delivered
Deathblows are strikes or actions that cause death or destruction.
The word almost always appears figuratively—a deathblow is whatever finishes something off: The scandal dealt a deathblow to his campaign.
A single decisive action is a deathblow; multiple finishing strokes are deathblows, though the singular form dominates.
Merciful finishing blow
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- clincherFact that settles matters
- finisherOne who completes tasks
- mortal woundInjury causing inevitable death
fatal blow · crushing blow · knockout punch · haymaker · last straw · finishing touch · mercy killing · execution
Act of ending something
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- demiseCessation of existence
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
cessation · culmination · final chapter · last gasp · swan song · end times · collapse · ruination
Forceful impact or stoppage
- thrustForceful forward motion
- slashAngled line or swipe
- stabPierce with point
- smashBreak violently apart
pummel · impale · cleave · slay · kill shot · mortal combat · warfare · battle
Overwhelming, decisive loss
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- fatal flawRuinous character defect
- Achilles heelSingular fatal vulnerability
- cripplingCausing severe impairment
ruinous · catastrophic · breaking point · point of no return · nail in the coffin
coup de grâce
Merciful finishing blow
mortal wound · fatal blow · crushing blow · knockout punch · haymaker · last straw · finishing touch · mercy killing · execution · dispatch
termination
Act of ending something
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- demiseCessation of existence
extinction · cessation · culmination · final chapter · last gasp · swan song · end times · collapse · ruination · undoing
strike
Forceful impact or stoppage
smash · pummel · impale · cleave · slay · kill shot · mortal combat · warfare · battle · duel
crushing defeat
Overwhelming, decisive loss
- last strawUltimate triggering incident
- fatal flawRuinous character defect
- Achilles heelSingular fatal vulnerability
crippling · ruinous · catastrophic · breaking point · point of no return · nail in the coffin
vanquish
Defeat thoroughly in conflict
- conquerOvercome by force
- crushCompress with force
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
demolish · obliterate · rout · overthrow · devastate · decimate · destroy · overwhelm · trounce · slaughter
deathblowsflesh wounds
Shallow bodily injuries
scratches · minor injuries · grazes · bruises · nicks
deathblowslifelines
Vital sources of help
reprieves · rescues · salvations · revivals · resurrections
deathblowscures
Remedies that heal
remedies · restorations · resuscitations · revivals · breath of life