cruel and unusual punishment

noun

: punishment that is very harsh and too severe for the crime

The law forbids cruel and unusual punishment.

Examples of cruel and unusual punishment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawsuit accuses Webster of violating her federal constitutional rights through use of excessive force, cruel and unusual punishment and deprivation of due process by unlawfully detaining and sodomizing her. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

The findings made up the basis for arguments from Creech’s attorneys that a second execution attempt of their client would represent cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Aug. 2025

For this reason, the U.S. Constitution guarantees due process of law and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment — penalties that are excessive, disproportionate to the crime, or that cause undue pain, suffering, or humiliation. —David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025

The lawsuit, filed Friday morning, accuses the state of violating the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. —Candice Norwood, Them., 11 Aug. 2025

Legal Definition

cruel and unusual punishment

noun

cruel and un·​usu·​al punishment

: punishment that is offensive to the contemporary morality or jurisprudence (as by being degrading, inflicting unnecessary and intentional pain, or being disproportionate to the offense)

nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted

—U.S. Constitution amend. VIII

see also Gregg v. Georgia compare corporal punishment, death penalty

Note: A cruel and unusual punishment is essentially one that the courts consider to violate the Eighth Amendment based on a variety of criteria. The interpretation of what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment has changed over time and has varied from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most forms of corporal punishment formerly used at common law have been found to be cruel and unusual punishments.