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

See Examples For:

deathblow

And neither reason for gold’s decline during the crisis deals a deathblow to its reputation as a useful risk hedge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

Herbart is said to have given the deathblow to faculty psychology.

From Creative Intelligence Essays in the Pragmatic Attitude by Boyd H. Bode