stay of execution
noun phrase
: an order that temporarily stops an execution
The court issued a stay of execution.
Examples of stay of execution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden ordered a stay of execution pending Hanson's lawsuit against the board over Malloy's participation.
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Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Some 38 years later, the couple sold the place to a developer who threatened to demolish it but was thwarted with a stay of execution after an outcry from architects and preservationists.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
One, Donald Ray Middlebrooks, was scheduled for execution on Sept. 24, but he was later issued a stay of execution on April 2.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Apr. 2025
The judge issued a stay of execution for Creech, which remains in effect pending a ruling after a December hearing.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stay of execution
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Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Some 38 years later, the couple sold the place to a developer who threatened to demolish it but was thwarted with a stay of execution after an outcry from architects and preservationists.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
One, Donald Ray Middlebrooks, was scheduled for execution on Sept. 24, but he was later issued a stay of execution on April 2.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Apr. 2025
The judge issued a stay of execution for Creech, which remains in effect pending a ruling after a December hearing.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stay of execution
Cite this Entry
“Stay of execution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20of%20execution. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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