right-to-die

American  

[rahyt-tuh-dahy] / ˈraɪt təˈdaɪ /

adjective

1. asserting or advocating the right to refuse extraordinary medical measures to prolong one's life when one is terminally ill or irreversibly comatose.

   right-to-die laws.

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Etymology

Origin of right-to-die

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

In May, France's lower house of parliament approved a right-to-die bill in a first reading.

From Barron's • Nov. 23, 2025

As a kind of fulcrum for his storytelling, Mr. Davenport uses Elizabeth Bouvia, who in 1983 became a cause célèbre of the right-to-die movement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

When I first wrote about right-to-die legislation, before California followed Oregon’s lead in 2016, I was a vocal advocate.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2023

If we could will our death, there would be no right-to-die movement or legal battles over euthanasia.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2022

It comes after right-to-die campaigner Noel Conway, 68, from Shropshire, said he "felt cheated" after being refused permission by the Supreme Court to challenge the law on assisted dying.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2019