death sentence

noun

1
: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death
2
: an affliction or a situation that is considered to be fatal
also : a prognosis of death

Examples of death sentence in a Sentence

She received a death sentence for the murders.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Louisiana is about to find out Texas court issues rare stay of execution for Death Row inmate who fought for DNA testing Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commutes death sentence of Robin Dion Myers, a first in her tenure What did James Osgood do? Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 But as a new sentencing hearing began, Osgood asked for another death sentence. CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025 The assignment to a penal detachment is arguably a death sentence, however, as Russia's military has routinely used ex-convict forces to conduct near-suicidal missions in the war against Ukraine, leading to high casualty rates. Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025 As any biologist, ecologist or zoologist will tell you, this can be a death sentence for an entire species. New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for death sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of death sentence was in 1655

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Cite this Entry

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

death sentence

see sentence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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