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
Maloney, 52, was on the City Council before being appointed mayor in 2015 following the sudden death of then-Mayor David Schmidt.
—
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Costa Rican Judicial Investigations Police confirmed to PEOPLE that Miller's body was released to his parents by the local medical examiner's office on Wednesday, March 26, following his sudden death while the family was vacationing at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Ralph Fiennes stars as a cardinal in desperate need of a stress ball as the man running the conclave after the pontiff's sudden death, and his crisis of faith takes a back seat to all the candidates of different political and social stripes gunning to run the church.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Going up against South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter in a sudden death playoff to win the tournament, Campbell skewed his tee shot on the par-five 18th into the trees, instantly causing his heart to sink.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
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Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Costa Rican Judicial Investigations Police confirmed to PEOPLE that Miller's body was released to his parents by the local medical examiner's office on Wednesday, March 26, following his sudden death while the family was vacationing at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Ralph Fiennes stars as a cardinal in desperate need of a stress ball as the man running the conclave after the pontiff's sudden death, and his crisis of faith takes a back seat to all the candidates of different political and social stripes gunning to run the church.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Going up against South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter in a sudden death playoff to win the tournament, Campbell skewed his tee shot on the par-five 18th into the trees, instantly causing his heart to sink.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sudden death
Cite this Entry
“Sudden death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sudden%20death. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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