manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 
: 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
Butler was arrested Thursday and charged with manslaughter, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
Michael David Butler, 44, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Wednesday, July 1, the Harris County Sheriff's Office announced on social media.
—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Pena pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, but on Wednesday, under an agreement, changed that plea to guilty to manslaughter in the second degree and vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, with a sentence of four to 12 years.
—
Jenna Deangelis,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Last summer, Parisi asked Judge Colleen Nichols to reduce Blake Rakela’s murder charge to voluntary manslaughter.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manslaughter
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Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
Michael David Butler, 44, was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Wednesday, July 1, the Harris County Sheriff's Office announced on social media.
—
Paloma Chavez,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Pena pleaded not guilty to 14 charges, but on Wednesday, under an agreement, changed that plea to guilty to manslaughter in the second degree and vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, with a sentence of four to 12 years.
—
Jenna Deangelis,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Last summer, Parisi asked Judge Colleen Nichols to reduce Blake Rakela’s murder charge to voluntary manslaughter.
—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manslaughter
Cite this Entry
“Manslaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manslaughter. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər
: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so
Medical Definition
manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər
: 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
: 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
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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.
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