death sentence

noun

1
: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death
2
: an affliction or a situation that is considered to be fatal
also : a prognosis of death

Examples of death sentence in a Sentence

She received a death sentence for the murders.
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.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Tuesday denied Broadnax's request for a 180-day reprieve or to commute his death sentence. CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Tuesday denied Broadnax’s request for a 180-day reprieve or to commute his death sentence. ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 In James Hitchcock's case, his death sentence was thrown out three separate times, in 1987, 1992 and 1996. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Former gymnasts immediately—and accurately—saw the season’s cancellation as a death sentence, and sought ways to intervene. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for death sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of death sentence was in 1655

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Cite this Entry

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

death sentence

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