make an example of
idiom
: to punish (a person who has done something wrong) as a way of warning other people not to do the same thing
Although it was only his first offense, the judge decided to make an example of him and sentence him to prison.
Examples of make an example of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump is going to laser-focus on those few to make an example of this city, and to increase his own power.
—
Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
But Trump is going to laser-focus on those few to make an example of this city, and to increase his own power.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Meaning, the charges will not hold, but the Trump administration is trying to make an example of her by bringing her to court.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Trump’s Congress wanted to make an example of Boston.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2025
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Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
But Trump is going to laser-focus on those few to make an example of this city, and to increase his own power.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Meaning, the charges will not hold, but the Trump administration is trying to make an example of her by bringing her to court.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Trump’s Congress wanted to make an example of Boston.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make an example of
Cite this Entry
“Make an example of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20an%20example%20of. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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