capital punishment

noun

: punishment by death : the practice of killing people as punishment for serious crimes
an opponent of capital punishment

Examples of capital punishment 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.
His death sentence will automatically be reviewed by higher courts, as required in capital punishment cases. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Here's what to know about capital punishment in Arizona. Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024 Although the state later reinstated capital punishment, officials upheld his life sentence. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2024 The center is a nonprofit organization that does not take a position on capital punishment. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capital punishment 

Dictionary Entries Near capital punishment

Cite this Entry

“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

capital punishment

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on capital punishment

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!