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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
Alcala received the death sentence at trial, but a series of appeals, reversals and subsequent trials left Alcala in prison until 2019, when California placed a moratorium on capital punishment.
—Barry Levitt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Other recent death penalty cases clouded by doubts Similar situations unfolded in two other capital punishment cases in the last three weeks alone, with one ending in an execution despite uncertainty about the inmate's innocence and public calls from authorities to review his case.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024
But actions taken during the four years since then appear to indicate Saudi Arabia remains committed to capital punishment.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2024
Here's what to know about the history of capital punishment in Wisconsin and more.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024
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“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Legal Definition
capital punishment
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on capital punishment
Britannica English: Translation of capital punishment for Arabic Speakers
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