sudden death
noun
1
: unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence
sudden death following coronary occlusion
2
: extra play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the first to score or gain the lead wins
Examples of sudden death in a Sentence
We won 27–24 in sudden death.
a serious heart condition that can result in sudden death
Recent Examples on the Web
That could mean anything from the sudden death of a student to a bomb threat to a school shooting.
—
Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The family of Deadliest Catch deckhand Todd Meadows is voicing their grief following news of his sudden death.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
His sudden death sent shockwaves through the music world and plunged his fans around the world into mourning.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
In On is allegedly the place where Poe had his last drink before his sudden death.
—Gaby Iori
march 3, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
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Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The family of Deadliest Catch deckhand Todd Meadows is voicing their grief following news of his sudden death.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
His sudden death sent shockwaves through the music world and plunged his fans around the world into mourning.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
In On is allegedly the place where Poe had his last drink before his sudden death.
—Gaby Iori
march 3, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
Cite this Entry
“Sudden death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sudden%20death. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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