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
In the minutes after the death penalty verdict was read on the record, Nelson, who lived in Arlington, broke a fire sprinkler in his holding cell and sent black water flooding into the courtroom.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2024
Prosecutors previously withdrew their intent to seek the death penalty in his case.
—CBS News, 10 July 2024
California has had a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty since 2019 and has not executed anyone since 2006.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Those found guilty of food poisoning resulting in a fatality can face the death penalty.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty 
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2024
Prosecutors previously withdrew their intent to seek the death penalty in his case.
—CBS News, 10 July 2024
California has had a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty since 2019 and has not executed anyone since 2006.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Those found guilty of food poisoning resulting in a fatality can face the death penalty.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty
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.
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“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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