death sentence

noun

1
: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death
2
: an affliction or a situation that is considered to be fatal
also : a prognosis of death

Examples of death sentence in a Sentence

She received a death sentence for the murders.
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.
The judge upheld Rhoades' death sentence, along with many life times in prison for the 1996 murder. Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025 Walls pleaded no contest in an attempt to avoid another trial and potential death sentence. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025 Under Idaho law, the maximum punishment for first-degree murder is life in prison if there is no death sentence. Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Dec. 2025 Written and directed by Alexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, this black-and-white short is set in a reality where people pay for items with bodily harm, and kissing is a death sentence. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for death sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of death sentence was in 1655

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Cite this Entry

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

Legal Definition

death sentence

see sentence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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