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
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Tuesday voted 7-0 against commuting Brewer's death sentence to a lesser penalty.
—
CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
The first trial ended with a conviction and a death sentence, which was later overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court.
—Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2023
The possibility of a deal stirred emotions among the relatives of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks — both those who envisioned a trial and death sentence and those who wanted a resolution that would not face the possibility of an appeal.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023
Brewer's lawyers had alleged that a prosecution expert, Richard Coons, falsely claimed Brewer would be a future danger — a legal finding needed to impose a death sentence.
—CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
But many here have fled airstrikes multiple times and say that going back is a death sentence.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Gascón blocked prosecutors from seeking the death sentence when he was elected.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
Bundy avoided the death sentence by agreeing to testify against Clark as part of a plea deal.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2023
This can mean that being diagnosed with T1D — a disease that can be managed with proper care and treatment — becomes a death sentence.
—David Panzirer, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
The first trial ended with a conviction and a death sentence, which was later overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court.
—Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2023
The possibility of a deal stirred emotions among the relatives of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks — both those who envisioned a trial and death sentence and those who wanted a resolution that would not face the possibility of an appeal.
—Carol Rosenberg, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2023
Brewer's lawyers had alleged that a prosecution expert, Richard Coons, falsely claimed Brewer would be a future danger — a legal finding needed to impose a death sentence.
—CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023
But many here have fled airstrikes multiple times and say that going back is a death sentence.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Gascón blocked prosecutors from seeking the death sentence when he was elected.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
Bundy avoided the death sentence by agreeing to testify against Clark as part of a plea deal.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2023
This can mean that being diagnosed with T1D — a disease that can be managed with proper care and treatment — becomes a death sentence.
—David Panzirer, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'death sentence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near death sentence
Cite this Entry
“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Legal Definition
death sentence
see sentence
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