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
Hochman has visited San Quentin to see the changes Newsom directed after suspending the death penalty and ordering the dismantling of death row.
—
Adam Ashton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Legally, his son could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted of his parents’ murder, because the two murder counts include a special circumstance of committing multiple murders.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Chief prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell has told The Associated Press that terrorism charges carry a possible sentence of up to 30 years in prison or even the death penalty, although Cuba has maintained a moratorium on the latter since 2003.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The 22-year-old suspect in his killing, Tyler Robinson, faces the death penalty if convicted.
—News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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Adam Ashton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Legally, his son could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted of his parents’ murder, because the two murder counts include a special circumstance of committing multiple murders.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
Chief prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell has told The Associated Press that terrorism charges carry a possible sentence of up to 30 years in prison or even the death penalty, although Cuba has maintained a moratorium on the latter since 2003.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
The 22-year-old suspect in his killing, Tyler Robinson, faces the death penalty if convicted.
—News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
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 14 Mar. 2026.
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