cruel and unusual punishment

noun

: punishment that is very harsh and too severe for the crime
The law forbids cruel and unusual punishment.

Examples of cruel and unusual punishment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Related article Supreme Court to look at whether some laws on homeless encampments amount to cruel and unusual punishment Glied pointed to at least 57 health systems and 917 hospitals around the country that have launched social service initiatives, with most focusing on housing. Angela Hart, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024 Smith’s lawyers told the justices that the state’s attempt to carry out the execution a second time amounted to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the U.S. Constitution. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024 Along with state law, federal law has long said ignoring the needs of someone incarcerated amounts to a violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024 His lawyers argued nitrogen hypoxia as a form of execution could violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 Alabama can proceed with its plan to conduct the first execution in the U.S. with nitrogen gas after a federal appeals court wasn't convinced Wednesday that the method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024 His lawyers have petitioned the court, arguing Alabama’s attempt to execute him twice constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan. 2024 The language has prompted questions about specific procedures that could be used as well as worries about cruel and unusual punishment. Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2024 Smith’s attorneys are asking courts to block the nitrogen execution, arguing that its unconstitutional for the state to make a second attempt to execute him and that the state’s plan violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment and at least merits more scrutiny before it is used. Kim Chandler, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruel and unusual punishment.' 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 cruel and unusual punishment

cruel

cruel and unusual punishment

cruel blow

Cite this Entry

“Cruel and unusual punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruel%20and%20unusual%20punishment. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

cruel and unusual punishment

noun
cruel and un·​usu·​al punishment
: punishment that is offensive to the contemporary morality or jurisprudence (as by being degrading, inflicting unnecessary and intentional pain, or being disproportionate to the offense)
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflictedU.S. Constitution amend. VIII
see also Gregg v. Georgia compare corporal punishment, death penalty

Note: A cruel and unusual punishment is essentially one that the courts consider to violate the Eighth Amendment based on a variety of criteria. The interpretation of what constitutes cruel and unusual punishment has changed over time and has varied from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most forms of corporal punishment formerly used at common law have been found to be cruel and unusual punishments.

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