capital punishment
noun
: punishment by death : the practice of killing people as punishment for serious crimes
called also death penalty
Examples of capital punishment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This surge in executions comes amid declining public support for capital punishment and significant changes in Florida’s death penalty laws.
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Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The move brought closure for some of the victims’ families, but others were outraged that prosecutors didn't take him to trial and seek capital punishment.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
During voir dire, anyone who’s against capital punishment is excused from serving; the law demands that jurors remain amenable to all potential sentences.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In 1937, the state replaced hanging with lethal gas as the method of capital punishment.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025
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Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
The move brought closure for some of the victims’ families, but others were outraged that prosecutors didn't take him to trial and seek capital punishment.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025
During voir dire, anyone who’s against capital punishment is excused from serving; the law demands that jurors remain amenable to all potential sentences.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In 1937, the state replaced hanging with lethal gas as the method of capital punishment.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capital punishment
Cite this Entry
“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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