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.
To secure a death sentence in Utah, prosecutors must demonstrate aggravating circumstances, such as that the crime was especially heinous or atrocious. Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Prosecutors cannot pursue a death sentence against Luigi Mangione in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a federal judge ruled Friday, delivering a blow to prosecutors. Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026 Yosemite focuses on the whole gamut of cancers, from colon cancer, which is often caught early and is treatable, to pancreatic cancer, which is largely a death sentence. Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 That count, which the judge tossed out, would have made Mangione eligible for a possible death sentence. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

death sentence

see sentence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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