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
That year of their final album, the band abruptly ended following the sudden death of drummer Mathew Fletcher.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2025
Neeson immersed himself in his work following Richardson’s sudden death, appearing in over 65 films since 2009.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The movies premiered decades before Keaton’s sudden death on October 11, 2025.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2025
But there was no capsizing, no sudden death.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
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Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2025
Neeson immersed himself in his work following Richardson’s sudden death, appearing in over 65 films since 2009.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The movies premiered decades before Keaton’s sudden death on October 11, 2025.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2025
But there was no capsizing, no sudden death.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 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 22 Oct. 2025.
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