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

During the panel discussion at Hay Festival, Victoria Smurfit, who plays Maud O'Hara in Rivals, recalled the moment the cast and crew found out about Dame Jilly's sudden death.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The sudden death of her daughter left Danielle Crittenden struggling to imagine the meaning of life without her.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The memoir “Loved & Lost” that Carrie wrote about Mr. Big’s sudden death is also for sale, as is the manuscript.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

A sudden death, he had explained, the way death often came to those of great age.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry