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
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.
The state will not be waiving the death penalty in the case, according to Brandon Carter, the prosecuting attorney for Washington County. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025 Arkansas State Police Brandon Carter, Washington County’s prosecuting attorney, said his office will not waive the death penalty. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2025 Zakrzewski eventually pleaded guilty to the murders, though his attorneys argued he should be spared from the death penalty. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has not decided if Harris will face the death penalty in the capital murder charge. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for the death penalty

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!