in the first degree
idiom
: of the most serious type : deserving the harshest punishment
She was accused of murder in the first degree.
Examples of in the first degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prosecutors have charged Bangura with assault in the first degree with a deadly-weapon enhancement and assault in the second degree with a deadly-weapon enhancement.
—
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
In Massachusetts when a jury convicts a defendant of murder, the panel is also asked to determine the degree of murder even when someone like Walshe is only charged with murder in the first degree.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, of Evansville, Indiana, was charged with murder and assault in the first degree in the shooting on Tuesday.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025
Trinity Poague is currently being tried on charges of malice murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, felony murder and aggravated battery, according to previous reports from WDHN and WALB.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first degree
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Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
In Massachusetts when a jury convicts a defendant of murder, the panel is also asked to determine the degree of murder even when someone like Walshe is only charged with murder in the first degree.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, of Evansville, Indiana, was charged with murder and assault in the first degree in the shooting on Tuesday.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025
Trinity Poague is currently being tried on charges of malice murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, felony murder and aggravated battery, according to previous reports from WDHN and WALB.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first degree
Cite this Entry
“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
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