Mercy killing

Pronunciation: /ˈmɝsi ˈkɪɫɪŋ/

Mercy killing (noun)

  1. An act of ending a seriously ill or suffering person’s life to reduce pain, usually done with medical or legal involvement.
  2. A term used in debates about whether ending life to relieve suffering is allowed, and how it should be controlled by law.

Examples

  • The doctor refused a mercy killing to end suffering.
  • They asked for a mercy killing to end suffering at home.