capital punishment
noun
: punishment by death : the practice of killing people as punishment for serious crimes
called also death penalty
Examples of capital punishment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the court did not outlaw capital punishment under any circumstance, states that wanted to be able to seek the death penalty went to work to craft new laws that could address the various issues raised by the justices.
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Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
If convicted as charged, Reiner could face a death sentence or life in prison without the possibility of parole, though a decision hasn’t been made on whether to seek capital punishment.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Robinson’s lawyers argue that the family connection and its emotional aftermath could have influenced internal decision-making, including the decision to pursue capital punishment, and are seeking the state attorney general’s office to take over the case.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Gray, who campaigned for office on a platform of seeking the death penalty where appropriate and justified, also argued that the deputy prosecutor’s connection to a witness played no role in his decision to file a notice of intent to seek capital punishment against Robinson.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
If convicted as charged, Reiner could face a death sentence or life in prison without the possibility of parole, though a decision hasn’t been made on whether to seek capital punishment.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Robinson’s lawyers argue that the family connection and its emotional aftermath could have influenced internal decision-making, including the decision to pursue capital punishment, and are seeking the state attorney general’s office to take over the case.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Gray, who campaigned for office on a platform of seeking the death penalty where appropriate and justified, also argued that the deputy prosecutor’s connection to a witness played no role in his decision to file a notice of intent to seek capital punishment against Robinson.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for capital punishment
Cite this Entry
“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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