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
Mangione, 26, was arraigned on 11 state charges, including murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, and multiple weapons charges.
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Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
William Steve Anthony Frost, 18, of East Highway 10 in Magazine, originally was charged with murder in the first degree but pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, according to court records.
—Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2024
One of those charges is murder in the first degree, which requires a defendant to not only have intentionally caused someone else's death, but also be more than 18 years old or have committed the crime in a way that enhances its seriousness.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Under New York law, murder in the first degree only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances, including when the victim is a judge, a police officer or a first responder, or when the killing involves a murder-for-hire or an intent to commit terrorism, CNN has reported.
—John Miller, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
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Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024
William Steve Anthony Frost, 18, of East Highway 10 in Magazine, originally was charged with murder in the first degree but pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree, according to court records.
—Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 21 Dec. 2024
One of those charges is murder in the first degree, which requires a defendant to not only have intentionally caused someone else's death, but also be more than 18 years old or have committed the crime in a way that enhances its seriousness.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Under New York law, murder in the first degree only applies to a narrow list of aggravating circumstances, including when the victim is a judge, a police officer or a first responder, or when the killing involves a murder-for-hire or an intent to commit terrorism, CNN has reported.
—John Miller, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the first degree
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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 Dec. 2024.
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