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

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 rape and murder of a 3-year-old girl in Nepal has sparked widespread outrage and protests in the Himalayan country, with activists and politicians demanding tougher laws on rape, including calls for the death penalty to be imposed for the crime. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 DeSantis has indicated the death penalty is not outside the realm of possibility for Caruso, if he’s charged and convicted under the new law. — Claire Heddles, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 He’s authored over 100 books and articles advocating against the death penalty and has been present for more than a dozen executions. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 His appeals up to the top court were rejected in 2016 by a Supreme Court decision upholding the death penalty. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the death penalty

Browse Nearby Words

the deal

the death penalty

the deceased

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

the death penalty

noun

Examples of the death penalty in a Sentence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes