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
She had been originally sentenced to death, but that was commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole after the death penalty was ruled unconstitutional in 1972.
—
Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The package of bills also eliminated the ability of college students without legal status to receive in-state tuition rates and mandated the death penalty for immigrants who commit capital offenses while in the country illegally.
—Hannah Critchfield, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
After deliberating for parts of three days during the punishment phase of the trial, some jurors told the Tribune the decision to impose the death penalty had been a difficult one.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Five of those states have a firing squad on the books, but only Idaho will have it as its main method for carrying out the death penalty after Gov. Brad Little signed it into law.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The package of bills also eliminated the ability of college students without legal status to receive in-state tuition rates and mandated the death penalty for immigrants who commit capital offenses while in the country illegally.
—Hannah Critchfield, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
After deliberating for parts of three days during the punishment phase of the trial, some jurors told the Tribune the decision to impose the death penalty had been a difficult one.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Five of those states have a firing squad on the books, but only Idaho will have it as its main method for carrying out the death penalty after Gov. Brad Little signed it into law.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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