sudden death

NOUN

unexplained death

Synonyms

WEAK

deathblow early death premature death stroke of death tiebreaker untimely end

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A third-act twist or sudden death can change a viewer’s overall perception of a movie in an instant.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

With the score 5-4 in Bayern's favour in sudden death, Kahn again guessed correctly to deny defender Mauricio Pellegrino and end Bayern's 25-year wait for the trophy.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

An abrupt removal of Castro, or his sudden death, could also spark an internal struggle for power.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

After the sudden death of her father, Chloe Cooper felt like she was the only person in the world feeling such intense grief.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

He adored her beyond measure and her sudden death left him literally speechless for days afterwards.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl