make an example of
idiom
: to punish (a person who has done something wrong) as a way of warning other people not to do the same thing
Although it was only his first offense, the judge decided to make an example of him and sentence him to prison.
Examples of make an example of in a Sentence
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But Gordon was tried by Lincoln’s Justice Department, whose attorneys were eager to make an example of a brazen trafficker as the Civil War got under way.
—
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Republicans are cheering the jury’s decision, believing Penny was wrongly prosecuted by a politically motivated district attorney who sought to make an example of him.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
During the plea hearing, his attorney Brian Steel delivered a heated takedown of the state’s case, accusing them of lying and contorting evidence — including Thug’s own lyrics — to make an example of his client.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Russia targeted Georgia not only to thwart Georgia’s NATO aspirations but also to make an example of it.
—Vasil Sikharulidze, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2023
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Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Republicans are cheering the jury’s decision, believing Penny was wrongly prosecuted by a politically motivated district attorney who sought to make an example of him.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
During the plea hearing, his attorney Brian Steel delivered a heated takedown of the state’s case, accusing them of lying and contorting evidence — including Thug’s own lyrics — to make an example of his client.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Russia targeted Georgia not only to thwart Georgia’s NATO aspirations but also to make an example of it.
—Vasil Sikharulidze, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for make an example of
Cite this Entry
“Make an example of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20an%20example%20of. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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