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
Sullivan was charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree, according to officials at the Waterbury Police Department.
—
Sean Neumann, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The charges Sullivan faces include assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Under state law, murder in the first degree only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances, including when the victim is a judge, a police officer or a first responder, or when the killing involves a murder-for-hire or an intent to commit terrorism.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Graham is charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in the first degree.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2025
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Sean Neumann, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The charges Sullivan faces include assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
Under state law, murder in the first degree only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances, including when the victim is a judge, a police officer or a first responder, or when the killing involves a murder-for-hire or an intent to commit terrorism.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Graham is charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in the first degree.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 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 2 May. 2025.
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