wrongful death

noun

: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another

Examples of wrongful death in a Sentence

She filed a wrongful death suit against the hospital, alleging that its negligence led to her daughter's death.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
John Amos‘ daughter is suing her brother and people in his orbit over the death of their father for elder abuse and wrongful death. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 Corniel’s new settlement does not resolve separate wrongful death claims brought on behalf of Drakeo’s young son, Caiden Caldwell, by the child’s guardian. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026 On Thursday, attorneys from Jablonska's estate were trying to get access to Stevenson's financial records for the civil case, and were seeking to amend their wrongful death lawsuit to allege willful and wanton conduct and pursue punitive damages. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 In a number of wrongful death lawsuits, ChatGPT is blamed for driving users to experience harmful delusions and, in some cases, to commit suicide. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongful death

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrongful death was in 1952

Rhymes for wrongful death

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Browse Nearby Words

wrongful birth
wrongful death
wronghead
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Cite this Entry

“Wrongful death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongful%20death. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

wrongful death

noun
: a death caused by the negligent, willful, or wrongful act, neglect, omission, or default of another
sought damages for the wrongful death of their murdered daughter
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