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.
In August 2024, O'Keefe's estate filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Read and two Canton, Massachusetts, bars — C.F. McCarthy's and the Waterfall — that the couple visited the night of the death, according to The Patriot Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 June 2025 Read is still facing a civil wrongful death lawsuit that was filed by O'Keefe's family in August 2024. Matt Schooley, CBS News, 19 June 2025 The family of an 11-year-old girl who died in Illinois was awarded $20.5 million after filing a wrongful death lawsuit, according to the family’s legal team. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025 The deposition is part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs' family against his former Los Angeles Angels. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 June 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 29 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!