Synonyms

deathblow

American

[deth-bloh] / ˈdɛθˌbloʊ /

noun

a blow causing death.

deathblow British

/ ˈdɛθˌbləʊ /

noun

a thing or event that destroys life or hope, esp suddenly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of deathblow

First recorded in 1785–95; death + blow ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Wildlife Trusts said the decision was a "deathblow" for wildlife.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024

Wagstaff, the curator, was maybe registering something important when he worried that Warhol’s painted soup cans might deliver a deathblow to established notions of painting.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Or that Nike’s closure isn’t a deathblow, just as Banana Republic, Gap and Macy’s departing didn’t end retail downtown.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2023

Meleager, whose spear provides the final deathblow, has been moved from the left side of the marble composition to a central position in the painting.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2021

I never injured you, and yet you have been the one to give the deathblow to my honour.

From Too Rich A Romance by Streckfuss, Adolph

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023