stay of execution
noun phrase
: an order that temporarily stops an execution
The court issued a stay of execution.
Examples of stay of execution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the ruling was a win for death penalty opponents fighting against the use of nitrogen gas, the court stopped short of granting Lee a stay of execution or attempting to banish the method altogether.
—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Tennessee Department of Correction via AP Before the execution was called off, attorneys for Carruthers filed an emergency stay of execution Thursday, claiming corrections has been unable to set an IV line to administer lethal injection drugs.
—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
21 May 2026
After clemency was denied, Glossip’s attorneys filed for a stay of execution with the Supreme Court.
—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Neil Wilson, Saxo UK investor strategist, said today’s King’s Speech may offer Starmer a reprieve, but might not be a stay of execution.
—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stay of execution
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Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Tennessee Department of Correction via AP Before the execution was called off, attorneys for Carruthers filed an emergency stay of execution Thursday, claiming corrections has been unable to set an IV line to administer lethal injection drugs.
—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
21 May 2026
After clemency was denied, Glossip’s attorneys filed for a stay of execution with the Supreme Court.
—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Neil Wilson, Saxo UK investor strategist, said today’s King’s Speech may offer Starmer a reprieve, but might not be a stay of execution.
—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stay of execution
Cite this Entry
“Stay of execution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20of%20execution. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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