manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
Synonyms of manslaughternext
: the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence

She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.
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.
For days, family and friends have been expressing outrage over prosecutors previously reducing the charge against Romero to first-degree manslaughter. — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 He was charged Tuesday night with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for stabbing Nobles, cops said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026 Kumar faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person in Deschutes County stemming from the fatal wreck. — Eric MacK , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Initially charged with second-degree murder, Herlihy now faces 12 to 24 years on the manslaughter charge. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manslaughter

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manslaughter was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing manslaughter

Rhymes for manslaughter

See All Rhymes for manslaughter

Browse Nearby Words

man-size
manslaughter
manslayer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manslaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manslaughter. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so

Medical Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the slaying of a human being
specifically : the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Legal Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice compare homicide, murder
— involuntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act involving a risk of injury or death that is done in an unlawful, reckless, or grossly negligent manner see also reckless homicide at homicide

Note: The exact formulation of the elements of involuntary manslaughter vary from state to state especially with regard to the level of negligence required. In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, involuntary manslaughter is usually graded as a second- or third-degree offense.

— misdemeanor-manslaughter
: involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor compare felony murder at murder
— voluntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from an intentional act done without malice or premeditation and while in the heat of passion or on sudden provocation

Note: In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, voluntary manslaughter is usually a first-degree offense.

More from Merriam-Webster on manslaughter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for manslaughter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manslaughter

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