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
Robson Green plays Patrick Harbottle, a charming repairman who moves in across the street after the sudden death – ruled a suicide, but very suspect – of Huw’s friend and neighbor, Frank (Gordon Kennedy).
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The inexplicable, sudden death of a dozen men was not enough to still curiosity, and an urge to show hospitality.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
That return has coexisted with her starring role on Shrinking, which sees Maxwell play Alice, a high schooler grieving the sudden death of her mom and the emotional absence of her dad (Jason Segel), a therapist trying to get his life back together.
—P. Claire Dodson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
The sudden death of their troubled mother brings Fiona back from California to her small Scottish hometown and to her younger sister in order to jointly handle their mother’s death.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
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.
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The inexplicable, sudden death of a dozen men was not enough to still curiosity, and an urge to show hospitality.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
That return has coexisted with her starring role on Shrinking, which sees Maxwell play Alice, a high schooler grieving the sudden death of her mom and the emotional absence of her dad (Jason Segel), a therapist trying to get his life back together.
—P. Claire Dodson, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
The sudden death of their troubled mother brings Fiona back from California to her small Scottish hometown and to her younger sister in order to jointly handle their mother’s death.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
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 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
