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
Recent Examples on the Web
Ma supports the death penalty for those who kill police officers in the line of duty or commit heinous crimes against women and children.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
If convicted as charged, Burke faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The jury will decide if the defendant should receive life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
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Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
If convicted as charged, Burke faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The jury will decide if the defendant should receive life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for the death penalty
Cite this Entry
“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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