SENTENCING Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

sentencing

verb

present participle of sentence

as in condemning

to impose a judicial punishment on the judge sentenced him to a fine of $50 and time served

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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.

Recent Examples of sentencing But if convicted, the judge would have the option of sentencing him as a juvenile, as an adult or imposing a juvenile sentence that could convert to an adult sentence if he is not rehabilitated. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The state should provide pathways to employment for these individuals rather than sentencing them to jail time when possible, said Sharp-Collins in the Assembly. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 After hearing an emotional testimony, Judge Delucchi upheld the jury's suggestion of the death penalty, sentencing Scott to death by lethal injection. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026 This week, a jury in McKinney, Texas convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony of murder, sentencing him to 35 years in prison for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in April 2025. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026 In 2010 the court reached the same conclusion about sentencing someone under 18 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes other than murder. — Jay Blitzman, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 The court upheld an earlier ruling, made in-absentia when Panahi was traveling outside Iran to support the awards campaign of It Was Just an Accident, sentencing the director to a year in prison and a two-year travel ban. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026 It’s revealed that Bishop, Alamo’s mysterious and monotone right-hand man, has removed the bullets, essentially sentencing Alamo to death. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 June 2026 The searchable database covers all of the nearly 1,600 criminal cases, including charges, convictions, and sentencing outcomes. — Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 26 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentencing

Verb

Public monuments condemning slavery have been removed, and Confederate names have been restored to Army bases.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
But the dispute quickly escalated into a reputational crisis for the biennale, with artists from Taiwan and China condemning the name change as a betrayal of its founding ideals.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemning

Verb

If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Tristan described life at the Federal Detention Center as physically and psychologically punishing.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of punishing

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sentences

sentencing

sententia

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“Sentencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentencing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sentencing

verb

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