sec·ond-degree
ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn
US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.
Examples of second-degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
No accountability, no justice A few weeks after Calicut’s release, another man convicted of second-degree murder based on a statement obtained by Simon was also freed.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ashley Mack and Mia Shaw were both charged with armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and second degree burglary, according to a news release from Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
In September 2011, Rapo was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison after previously pleading no contest — which cannot be used as evidence of guilt in a civil matter — to second-degree manslaughter.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
No accountability, no justice A few weeks after Calicut’s release, another man convicted of second-degree murder based on a statement obtained by Simon was also freed.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
Jackson has since been charged with several offenses including first and second degree murder.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Ashley Mack and Mia Shaw were both charged with armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and second degree burglary, according to a news release from Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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