sentence 1 of 2

noun

ˈsen-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce sentence (audio)
Definition of sentencenext
as in ruling
a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard he received a light sentence because it was his first offense and he was an otherwise upstanding citizen

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sentence

2 of 2

verb

as in to condemn
to impose a judicial punishment on the judge sentenced him to a fine of $50 and time served

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sentence
Noun
The most severe of the counts against him carry a 20-year prison sentence and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Both received credit for time served as part of their sentences. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Shimon was sentenced to 12 years in prison and released on parole in 2021. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 Not long afterwards, her son from a previous relationship was convicted of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison. — James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentence
  1. ruling
  2. condemn
  3. verdict
  4. punish
  5. doom
Noun
  • The Thursday ruling came after Democrats and voting rights groups filed a fresh round of lawsuits to comply with the recent Supreme Court decision.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which brought the lawsuit, praised the ruling.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruling
Verb
  • There, the tyrannical February has condemned its inhabitants to eternal winter and forbids them from flying, while a masked resistance movement known as The Solution fights to restore light and freedom.
    — Alexandra Patterson, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • His government has consistently avoided criticizing Morocco, but Sánchez condemned comments from two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, another Spain's other territory in North Africa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemn
Noun
  • Shortly after hearing the verdict, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa, embraced a man seated behind her and wiped her eyes with a tissue, according to a live feed of the proceeding from The Associated Press.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Rahmani says if the jury still can’t reach a verdict, Sullivan will have no choice but to declare a mistrial.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of verdict
Verb
  • If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of punish
Verb
  • By learning of the existence of an advanced ape race, have the humans doomed themselves to the fate Cornelius and Zira attempted to avoid?
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Catherine didn’t really kill Isabel; the system that doomed her to a life of horrors did.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of doom

Browse Nearby Words

sent (away)
sentence
sentenced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentence. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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