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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 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 18 Nov. 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!