death sentence

noun

: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death

: 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 Mullis, a man with a long history of mental illness who has repeatedly sought to waive his right to appeal his death sentence, was sentenced to death for killing his 3-month-old son in January 2008. —

Sean Murphy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024 Execution provokes widespread condemnation Reactions from across the internet were overwhelmingly in opposition to the death sentence given to Williams. —

Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 In 1998, the Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals vacated the death sentence and ordered a resentencing. —

Abigail Brooks, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2024 In May 2024, the Alabama State Supreme Court agreed to let the Department of Corrections carry out Miller's death sentence by nitrogen hypoxia. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for death sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'death sentence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

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