the death penalty
noun
: death as a punishment given by a court of law for very serious crimes : capital punishment
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
She opposes the death penalty.
Examples of the death penalty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To seek the death penalty, courts in California must hold a separate trial from the one that decides guilt or innocence.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
The new legislation signed by the Republican governor mandates the death penalty for immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization who commit capital offenses and sets aside nearly $300 million for immigration enforcement.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2025
She was introduced to the case after a friend who worked at an organization that opposed the death penalty encouraged her to volunteer as a pen pal for an inmate on death row, according to The New Yorker.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
The new legislation signed by the Republican governor mandates the death penalty for immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization who commit capital offenses and sets aside nearly $300 million for immigration enforcement.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2025
She was introduced to the case after a friend who worked at an organization that opposed the death penalty encouraged her to volunteer as a pen pal for an inmate on death row, according to The New Yorker.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
Cite this Entry
“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share