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

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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.
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations, breaking news for USA TODAY. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 The order Graf read from the bench outlined the evidence presented during the hearing, ruling that the prosecution had met the threshold of probable cause and can still pursue the death penalty. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026 Graf also ruled that prosecutors may continue seeking the death penalty in the case. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Aggravating circumstances will likely play a key role in the case, as they could be used to justify imposing the death penalty for Robinson if he is found guilty. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the death penalty

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Cite this Entry

“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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