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
As time goes on, Ed is deeply impacted by Augusta's sudden death, which leads him to visit graveyards and try to recreate the memory of his mom with the bodies of recently deceased women.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
But there was no capsizing, no sudden death.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Mthethwa was expected to respond to the allegations before his sudden death.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Make overtime periods 15 minutes long and, if the score is still tied after the first two possessions, go to sudden death.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
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Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
But there was no capsizing, no sudden death.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Mthethwa was expected to respond to the allegations before his sudden death.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Make overtime periods 15 minutes long and, if the score is still tied after the first two possessions, go to sudden death.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
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 13 Oct. 2025.
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