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loss of life

idiomatic phrase

: death
… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of lifeCharles Dickens
: incidences of people dying
In 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

Examples of loss of life 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.
The two storms not only caused severe flooding but also loss of life, officials said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 27 Nov. 2025 The Skaggs family is suing the team for punitive damages and other damages, including loss of life and loss of love. Sam Blum, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025 The way in which the government responded to the protests, and the loss of life that occurred, has been widely criticized. Callum Sutherland, Time, 17 Nov. 2025 Preparedness, such as implementing early warning systems and community drills, remains a top priority for reducing loss of life—particularly in tsunami-prone communities. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loss of life

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loss of life was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

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