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
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.
In 2022, a federal judge in Illinois ordered the Bureau of Prisons to provide gender-affirming surgery for a transgender inmate after finding that denying the procedure was likely a violation of the Eighth Amendment's protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025 The lawsuit claims that the order violates due process under the Fifth Amendment, and the Eight Amendment's rules against cruel and unusual punishment. James Factora, Them, 29 Jan. 2025 These were severe human rights violations — acts that violated not only the basic dignity of children but also protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Ray Watford, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025 Transgender, biological male inmates will also argue that their housing conditions in male-only prisons violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, according to the Independent Women report. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cruel and unusual punishment 

Dictionary Entries Near cruel and unusual punishment

cruel

cruel and unusual punishment

cruel blow

Cite this Entry

“Cruel and unusual punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruel%20and%20unusual%20punishment. Accessed 14 Feb. 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 inflictedU.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.

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