firing squad
noun
1
: a detachment detailed to fire volleys over the grave of one buried with military honors
2
: a detachment detailed to carry out a sentence of death by shooting
Examples of firing squad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the firing squad finished its work, victorious Mexican troops reportedly removed Crabb's head and shipped it to Mexico City in a jar of mescal.
—
The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Last year, Idaho approved a law that made a firing squad the state’s backup method of execution when lethal injection drugs are unavailable.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
In March, the Idaho Senate passed a bill that would restore firing squads as a backup method for executions when lethal injection is unavailable or becomes unconstitutional.
—Niha Masih, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
In light of those difficulties, Idaho last year passed legislation allowing for the firing squad as a means of execution if drugs are unavailable, or lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024
The state asked the Supreme Court to toss out a lower court ruling after a 2022 trial that the electric chair and the firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2024
Idaho, which had outlawed the firing squad as a method in 2009, brought it back in 2023 in case lethal injection becomes unavailable.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
But the construction renovation of the prison’s execution chamber to provide for a firing squad has yet to be designed, let alone built, Tewalt said.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
Those included one that said Woodall and her staff should be put in front of a firing squad, Woodall testified.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Last year, Idaho approved a law that made a firing squad the state’s backup method of execution when lethal injection drugs are unavailable.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
In March, the Idaho Senate passed a bill that would restore firing squads as a backup method for executions when lethal injection is unavailable or becomes unconstitutional.
—Niha Masih, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
In light of those difficulties, Idaho last year passed legislation allowing for the firing squad as a means of execution if drugs are unavailable, or lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024
The state asked the Supreme Court to toss out a lower court ruling after a 2022 trial that the electric chair and the firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2024
Idaho, which had outlawed the firing squad as a method in 2009, brought it back in 2023 in case lethal injection becomes unavailable.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
But the construction renovation of the prison’s execution chamber to provide for a firing squad has yet to be designed, let alone built, Tewalt said.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2024
Those included one that said Woodall and her staff should be put in front of a firing squad, Woodall testified.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firing squad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Firing squad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firing%20squad. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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