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.
At least 66, almost 70 percent, of those are uncontested by the state, meaning the state did not try to fight for a new death sentence. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 Smith’s death sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1954. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The ingenious development of daraxonrasib was big news, since pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence until now. — CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Williams, who pleaded guilty to killing Kamarie Holland, declined to appeal and requested that his death sentence be carried out. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 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

Rhymes for death sentence

See All Rhymes for death sentence

Browse Nearby Words

death row
death sentence
deathsman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Legal Definition

death sentence

see also:
sentence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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