deathblow

American  

[deth-bloh] / ˈdɛθˌbloʊ /

noun

1. a blow causing death.

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deathblow British  

/ ˈdɛθˌbləʊ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of deathblow

First recorded in 1785–95; death + blow ¹

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2024

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

The Americans retreated to Manhattan and then to northern New Jersey, where Howe followed and defeated them whenever he made contact, but they always slipped away before suffering a deathblow.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Judah Halevi criticized the Kalam, Ibn Daud is a thorough Aristotelian, and Maimonides gave the Kalam in Jewish literature its deathblow.

From A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy by Husik, Isaac