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
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However, the decision to pursue capital punishment rests with the Justice Department in Washington, which is undergoing a leadership transition while President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office later this month.
—
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment pending a study of policies and protocols.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 24 Dec. 2024
The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during President Biden’s term.
—Will Weissert and Darlene Superville, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Dec. 2024
Topline President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of nearly all prisoners on federal death row early on Monday, in a move that prevents President-elect Donald Trump—who has promised to resume carrying out capital punishment at the federal level—from allowing their executions to go forward.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment pending a study of policies and protocols.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 24 Dec. 2024
The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during President Biden’s term.
—Will Weissert and Darlene Superville, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Dec. 2024
Topline President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of nearly all prisoners on federal death row early on Monday, in a move that prevents President-elect Donald Trump—who has promised to resume carrying out capital punishment at the federal level—from allowing their executions to go forward.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
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