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
Public enthusiasm for the death penalty is waning, as reflected by how juries are voting.
—
Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025
Idaho will soon use a firing squad to carry out the death penalty — the only state to shoot prisoners to death as its primary method of execution.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Boodarian.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 17 July 2025
Last summer, the Pentagon’s director of the Office of Military Commissions agreed to a plea deal with KSM and two other 9/11 conspirators locked up in Gitmo, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, that would rule out the death penalty for these most guilty of prisoners.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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.
Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2025
Idaho will soon use a firing squad to carry out the death penalty — the only state to shoot prisoners to death as its primary method of execution.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Boodarian.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 17 July 2025
Last summer, the Pentagon’s director of the Office of Military Commissions agreed to a plea deal with KSM and two other 9/11 conspirators locked up in Gitmo, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, that would rule out the death penalty for these most guilty of prisoners.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share