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
Failure to take action may result in serious injury or loss of life.
- POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
- Moderate flooding from rainfall may prompt some evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and streams may rise and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in the typical prone locations.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2025
Judge Rob Kelly signed a declaration of disaster, following the devastation to property and loss of life left behind by the severe weather storm.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 5 July 2025
The pain of addiction and the loss of lives due to fentanyl touches almost every family.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
When the unthinkable happens—an accident or other serious incident that results in injuries or loss of life—the world watches to see what a leader will do.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 24 June 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.
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2025
Judge Rob Kelly signed a declaration of disaster, following the devastation to property and loss of life left behind by the severe weather storm.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 5 July 2025
The pain of addiction and the loss of lives due to fentanyl touches almost every family.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
When the unthinkable happens—an accident or other serious incident that results in injuries or loss of life—the world watches to see what a leader will do.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 24 June 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 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share