The word "杀伤力" is formed by sequentially combining three characters: 杀, meaning "to kill"; 伤, meaning "to wound"; and 力, meaning "power". The pair 杀伤 together signifies causing death and injury, conveying the idea of harm or casualties. The addition of 力 then specifies this as the capacity or force to inflict such harm, resulting in the compound's meaning of "lethality" or "destructive power".