sudden death

noun

Definition of sudden deathnext
as in dead heat

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sudden death In a Monday, July 20, Fox News appearance with Sean Hannity, Darline recalled seeing her brother’s political remarks over the years before his sudden death at age 71 on Saturday, July 11. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 The sudden death of Lindsey Graham last weekend robbed foreign aid advocates of one of their most effective GOP champions in Washington, according to lawmakers and advocates who worked with the South Carolina Republican. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 17 July 2026 Just not ever in hockey, where sudden death is just about the best thing the sport has to offer. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Unexplained sudden death, thoracic aneurysm, or dissection in a family member should prompt discussion of genetic testing and imaging of first-degree relatives, the experts said. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sudden death
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sudden death
  1. dead heat
  2. runoff
  3. rubber
  4. round-robin
  5. volley
Noun
  • Texas attorney general race is a dead heat Democrats are also making headway in replacing Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with their own candidate, as a new July poll showed the race is almost tied.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • The 39-year-old has led Argentina to the World Cup’s round of 16 and his seven goals have put him in a dead heat with Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot trophy.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of dead heat
Noun
  • The runoff between Allen and attorney Jane Kim, is the only statewide race between two Democrats.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The list of challenges comes as Bass needs to build momentum heading toward the November runoff against Councilmember Nithya Raman, who came in second in the June primary.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of runoff
Noun
  • Sasa and others were housed on an indoor sports court inside a collapsible wire cage with a rubber ball to play with and a metal water bowl.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • On Holbrook's property, there were firearms, plastic tarps, rubber gloves and cleaning fluid.
    — Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of rubber
Noun
  • There are four groups of four teams, who play each other in a round-robin format.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Pivotal to Dallas reaching the final from Group 1 was a closing 3-2 victory over the Mad Drops to complete a 4-0 record in round-robin play.
    — Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of round-robin
Noun
  • Three minutes later, Son put away a volley after Carles Gil stopped a ball at the end line and whipped a cross into the center of the box.
    — Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Sean Johnson parried a shot by Jonathan Osorio but Corbeanu slammed home a volley that deflected off Johnson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of volley

Browse Nearby Words

sudden
sudden death
sudden deaths
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sudden death.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sudden%20death. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All