the death penalty
noun
: death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes : capital punishment
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
She opposes the death penalty.
Examples of the death penalty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Defendants found guilty of capital murder in cases in which the state has waived the death penalty and in which the defendant was older than 18 at the time of the crime are automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
—
Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Last week, the judge in the federal case ruled that prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
If the federal trial date is pushed back – which could happen if prosecutors appeal the judge’s ruling that dropped the death penalty – the state trial will then begin on September 8, Carro said.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Separately, Mangione faces federal stalking charges that could bring a maximum of life in prison, after a judge took the death penalty off the table along with the most serious federal offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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Emerson Clarridge
updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Last week, the judge in the federal case ruled that prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
If the federal trial date is pushed back – which could happen if prosecutors appeal the judge’s ruling that dropped the death penalty – the state trial will then begin on September 8, Carro said.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Separately, Mangione faces federal stalking charges that could bring a maximum of life in prison, after a judge took the death penalty off the table along with the most serious federal offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
Cite this Entry
“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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