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
Gayton McKenzie, the party’s leader, has called for the return of the death penalty for serious crimes.
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Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 2 June 2024
The Justice Department — and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody — would have to approve of the death penalty in the case.
—Sandra McDonald, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
Since the prosecution requested the death penalty, the case will proceed to a sentencing phase.
—Allison Elyse Gualtieri, CBS News, 30 May 2024
If convicted, Daybell could face the death penalty.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty 
Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 2 June 2024
The Justice Department — and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody — would have to approve of the death penalty in the case.
—Sandra McDonald, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
Since the prosecution requested the death penalty, the case will proceed to a sentencing phase.
—Allison Elyse Gualtieri, CBS News, 30 May 2024
If convicted, Daybell could face the death penalty.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for the death penalty
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the death penalty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“The death penalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20death%20penalty. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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