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
The rejection of the regime is even more evident with the ongoing nationwide campaign to boycott the June presidential election, following the sudden death of Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024.
—
Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2024
After the sudden deaths of his beloved twin sisters, Shagun flees his own guilt, his mother’s grief, and his father’s violent disapproval by enrolling at an all-boys boarding school.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 17 June 2024
The sudden death of a community member doubles as an occasion for the girls to meet again.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024
Los Angeles mourns pioneer and friend Sam Rubin When the initial shock wore off, tributes, tales and memories flowed from throughout Los Angeles after the sudden death of an area icon, entertainment journalist Sam Rubin.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sudden death 
Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2024
After the sudden deaths of his beloved twin sisters, Shagun flees his own guilt, his mother’s grief, and his father’s violent disapproval by enrolling at an all-boys boarding school.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 17 June 2024
The sudden death of a community member doubles as an occasion for the girls to meet again.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024
Los Angeles mourns pioneer and friend Sam Rubin When the initial shock wore off, tributes, tales and memories flowed from throughout Los Angeles after the sudden death of an area icon, entertainment journalist Sam Rubin.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sudden death
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sudden death.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sudden death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sudden%20death. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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