the death penalty
noun
: death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes : capital punishment
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
She opposes the death penalty.
Examples of the death penalty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawyer was indicted in February 2020, and the decision to seek the death penalty was made when District Attorney Phil Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, held the office.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors in Florida are seeking the death penalty for a mother who allegedly confessed to killing one daughter and injuring another by forcing them to drink bleach.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, the Associated Press reports.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2024
In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned Scott Peterson's death sentence, citing that during the penalty phase, his jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty, according to court documents.
—Abc News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if a jury convicts him, though a trial date has yet to be set.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2024
Studies of the death penalty have long shown racial inequality in its application, but a new report has found the disparity extends inside the death chamber itself.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
Garcetti says prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the murder case.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Rosen’s office has sought the death penalty four times since then, eventually withdrawing the pursuit in two of the cases.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors in Florida are seeking the death penalty for a mother who allegedly confessed to killing one daughter and injuring another by forcing them to drink bleach.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, the Associated Press reports.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2024
In 2020, the California Supreme Court overturned Scott Peterson's death sentence, citing that during the penalty phase, his jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty, according to court documents.
—Abc News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if a jury convicts him, though a trial date has yet to be set.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2024
Studies of the death penalty have long shown racial inequality in its application, but a new report has found the disparity extends inside the death chamber itself.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
Garcetti says prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the murder case.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Rosen’s office has sought the death penalty four times since then, eventually withdrawing the pursuit in two of the cases.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the death penalty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the death penalty
Cite this Entry
“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share