involuntary manslaughter

noun

: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not constituting a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act in a negligent or improper manner

Examples of involuntary manslaughter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His public defender, Daniel Hutchinson, argued Dominguez was in a psychotic state due to schizophrenia and should be convicted only of involuntary manslaughter. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025 Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, with the court ruling his involvement in Jackson’s death to be criminally negligent, per The New York Times. Alex Gurley, People.com, 25 June 2025 Another involved a California college professor accused of involuntary manslaughter and battery of a 69-year old Jewish counterprotester. Odette Yousef, NPR, 28 May 2025 Fields is charged with wanton endangerment and involuntary manslaughter, police said. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for involuntary manslaughter

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of involuntary manslaughter was in 1792

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Cite this Entry

“Involuntary manslaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/involuntary%20manslaughter. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

involuntary manslaughter

see manslaughter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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