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

Test results presented in recent wrongful death lawsuits suggest that a natural kratom powder product, used by somebody who died after taking it, was likely contaminated with MGPI. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Nov. 2026

The notice says the family is seeking damages for wrongful death, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. — CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

In the aftermath of the 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center, Hellerstein presided over dozens of wrongful death, injury and property damage lawsuits — a two-decade-long effort that shaped his legacy on the bench. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

The manager of a large kratom distribution company, faced with evidence of the compound in products at the center of several wrongful death lawsuits against him, mounted a concerted lobbying push. — Christina Jewett, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wrongful death

• shibboleth
• beth
• breath
• heth
• lethe
• meth
• neath
• seth
• sheth
• sneath

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