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
Payne is serving life in prison after the prosecution in his case chose not to pursue the death penalty.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
His attorneys had previously put forth claims that Ford had an intellectually disability and therefore should not receive the death penalty.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
At the federal level, the 1951 Boggs Act created the nation’s first mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, and the 1956 Narcotic Control Act instituted the death penalty for anyone caught selling heroin to minors.
—TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
In Uganda, for instance, where a harsh anti-gay law can carry the death penalty for consensual homosexual activity for people with H.I.V., nonprofit groups funded by the United States have been crucial sources of financial and medical support.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty 
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Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
His attorneys had previously put forth claims that Ford had an intellectually disability and therefore should not receive the death penalty.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
At the federal level, the 1951 Boggs Act created the nation’s first mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, and the 1956 Narcotic Control Act instituted the death penalty for anyone caught selling heroin to minors.
—TIME, 10 Feb. 2025
In Uganda, for instance, where a harsh anti-gay law can carry the death penalty for consensual homosexual activity for people with H.I.V., nonprofit groups funded by the United States have been crucial sources of financial and medical support.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty
Dictionary Entries Near 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 21 Feb. 2025.
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