sec·ond-degree
ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn
US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.
Examples of second-degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Jurors found Read not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of a lesser offense of operating a vehicle under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or greater.
—Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Though the counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action, as well as others, were Jones’ first felony convictions, his criminal record in Municipal Court was chock full of warning signs.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-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.
Adjective
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives, who took over the case from Florida City police, booked Fisher into Metro West Detention Center on a second-degree murder charge.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Jurors found Read not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of a lesser offense of operating a vehicle under the influence with a blood-alcohol level of .08% or greater.
—Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
Two Missouri men already facing charges in the mysterious case of three friends found dead outside a Kansas City home after watching a Chiefs football game last year could have some charges upgraded to include three counts of second degree murder, court documents show.
—Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Though the counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action, as well as others, were Jones’ first felony convictions, his criminal record in Municipal Court was chock full of warning signs.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share