in the first degree
idiom
: of the most serious type : deserving the harshest punishment
She was accused of murder in the first degree.
Examples of in the first degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last week, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, was charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, cruelty to persons, unlawful restraint in the first degree and reckless endangerment.
—
Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
She was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree on March 12.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
She was arrested Wednesday on charges of assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Gilder was charged with grand theft in the first degree, and robbery with a mask, according to court documents.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
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Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
She was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree on March 12.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
She was arrested Wednesday on charges of assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025
Gilder was charged with grand theft in the first degree, and robbery with a mask, according to court documents.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first degree
Cite this Entry
“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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