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.
Many of the contenders responded to the crime concerns with wide-ranging proposals, including building megaprisons, restricting food for prisoners and reinstating the death penalty for serious crimes. Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026 Prosecutors may pursue the death penalty in the retrial of Alex Murdaugh, according to the South Carolina attorney general. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 May 2026 South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Friday that prosecutors could seek the death penalty against Alex Murdaugh if he is found guilty again at a new trial after the state Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 Vale, who is in custody, also potentially faced the death penalty because someone died in one of the migrant crossings from Cuba to Mexico. Jay Weaver may 14, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster