capital punishment

noun

: punishment by death : the practice of killing people as punishment for serious crimes

called also death penalty

Examples of capital punishment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even some supporters of capital punishment, including a number of Republican lawmakers, seemed repelled by the prospect. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 Maher says that the fact that more than half the states allow capital punishment, but are issuing fewer death sentences, shows that the American people are disenchanted with the use of the death penalty. — Nate Perez, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026 If Christa Pike's recovery from two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital has left her mentally impaired, she could be spared from her death sentence, according to a leading expert on capital punishment in the United States. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Different views on the topic Many Californians continue to support capital punishment. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for capital punishment

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capital punishment was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

capitalness
capital punishment
capital ship
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Cite this Entry

“Capital punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capital%20punishment. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

capital punishment

noun
: death penalty
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