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
He had also been charged with murder in the first degree (in furtherance of an act of terrorism) and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, but those two counts were dismissed by Judge Gregory Carro in an order filed last month.
—
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This was murder in the first degree.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Mangione was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in April on 11 counts, including one count of murder in the first degree and other weapons and forgery charges.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
They’ve have each been charged with 20 counts of stalking in the first degree and 20 counts of witness intimidation in a criminal case, according to a complaint obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first degree
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.
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
This was murder in the first degree.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Mangione was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in April on 11 counts, including one count of murder in the first degree and other weapons and forgery charges.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
They’ve have each been charged with 20 counts of stalking in the first degree and 20 counts of witness intimidation in a criminal case, according to a complaint obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Sep. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share