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
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway had the option to sentence him to life in prison with the chance for parole after at least 25 years, but Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.
—
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The jury recommended that Simpson get the death penalty for killing Palmer and Jones.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The surge last year came even though support for the death penalty continues to drop across the country.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The jury recommended that Simpson get the death penalty for killing Palmer and Jones.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The surge last year came even though support for the death penalty continues to drop across the country.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 12 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 18 Feb. 2026.
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