見殺(みごろ)し

みごろし
noun
letting someone die; standing by while someone suffers
action
1. letting someone die; abandoning someone to their fate
The act of watching someone suffer or die without intervening, despite being able to help. Also used figuratively for abandoning someone in difficulty or letting a situation deteriorate without acting.
仲間(なかま)を見殺(みごろ)しにはできない。
I can't just leave my friends to die.
困(こま)っている人(ひと)を見殺(みごろ)しにするのか。
Are you going to just stand by and let someone in trouble suffer?
国際社会(こくさいしゃかい)は難民(なんみん)を見殺(みごろ)しにしてはならないと訴(うった)えた。
She appealed that the international community must not abandon the refugees to their fate.

Almost always used in the pattern 見殺(みごろ)しにする (to abandon someone to their fate). Carries a strong moral accusation — it implies the person could have helped but chose not to.

Common patterns

The figurative use is common in political and social commentary, where 見殺(みごろ)し does not literally mean death but rather neglecting people in need.

general
Added 2026.3.2 15:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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