Mercy Killing

Pronunciation: /ˈmɜrsi ˈkɪlɪŋ/

Definitions of mercy killing

noun a controversial practice of ending a life in a painless manner

Example Sentences

A1 Mercy killing is the act of ending someone's life to end their suffering.

A2 Some people believe that mercy killing should be legal in certain situations.

B1 The debate over mercy killing often revolves around ethical and moral considerations.

B2 In some countries, mercy killing is considered a criminal act and is punishable by law.

C1 The decision to perform a mercy killing is a complex and controversial one that requires careful consideration.

C2 Doctors may face legal and ethical dilemmas when considering whether to participate in a mercy killing.

Examples of mercy killing in a Sentence

formal The debate on mercy killing continues to be a contentious issue in medical ethics.

informal Some people believe in mercy killing as a way to end suffering.

slang Mercy killing is a hot topic in the news lately.

figurative In literature, mercy killing is often used as a symbol of compassion and release.

Grammatical Forms of mercy killing

• plural: mercy killings
• comparative: more mercy killing
• superlative: most mercy killing
• present tense: mercy kills
• future tense: will mercy kill
• perfect tense: has mercy killed
• continuous tense: is mercy killing
• singular: mercy killing
• positive degree: very mercy killing
• infinitive: to mercy kill
• gerund: mercy killing
• participle: mercy killed

Origin and Evolution of mercy killing

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'mercy killing' originated from the concept of euthanasia, which can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations where assisted suicide was sometimes practiced.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'mercy killing' has evolved to refer to the act of intentionally ending someone's life to alleviate their suffering, often in cases of terminal illness or extreme pain.