loss of life
idiomatic phrase
: death
… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of life …—
Charles Dickens
: incidences of people dying
Charles DickensIn 1900 a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, destroying the city and killing over 6,000 persons—the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster ever recorded in the United States.—David H. Hickcox
David H. HickcoxExamples of loss of life in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its path has proven quite timely, too, helping the country process its grief in the aftermath of a plane crash in 2001, the death of NASCAR Dale Earnhardt and the tragic loss of life in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
After the vigil, Farris, the pastor, told media that the area has seen its share of tragedy and loss of life, including a deadly flood a few years ago.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on social platform X that the loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal are distressing.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Hotter ocean temperatures breed bigger, more intense storms, which in turn can cause more severe flooding, infrastructure damage and loss of life.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loss of life
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.
Tom Roland, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
After the vigil, Farris, the pastor, told media that the area has seen its share of tragedy and loss of life, including a deadly flood a few years ago.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on social platform X that the loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal are distressing.
—CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Hotter ocean temperatures breed bigger, more intense storms, which in turn can cause more severe flooding, infrastructure damage and loss of life.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loss of life
Cite this Entry
“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share