wrongful death

noun

: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another

Examples of wrongful death in a Sentence

She filed a wrongful death suit against the hospital, alleging that its negligence led to her daughter's death.
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.
San Diego County later agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his mother. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025 On Thursday, Lavalle’s mother, Luisa, and his three sons, Joseph, Raymundo and Matthew, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025 The Billings were among those injured in the blast, according to the lawsuit, which is similar to the wrongful death lawsuit that the Cunningham family filed last month. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025 The widow of an Afghan man – whose lawyer says was tortured and killed by the Taliban after his identity was revealed in an Emmy-winning National Geographic documentary – has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the filmmakers in Los Angeles. Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrongful death

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrongful death was in 1952

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrongful death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful%20death. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

wrongful death

noun
: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another
sought damages for the wrongful death of their murdered daughter
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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