in the first degree
idiom
: of the most serious type : deserving the harshest punishment
She was accused of murder in the first degree.
Examples of in the first degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2015, a jury found Harold guilty of murder in the first degree.
—
Sean Keane, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Lorenzo Guzman-Reyes is charged with rape in the first degree, the Fairhope Police Department said in a Feb. 28 news release.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
The charges include murder in the first degree in the furtherance of terrorism, murder in the second degree and several weapons charges.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Hamilton and DeMaio were also found guilty of burglary in the first degree.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
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Sean Keane, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
Lorenzo Guzman-Reyes is charged with rape in the first degree, the Fairhope Police Department said in a Feb. 28 news release.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
The charges include murder in the first degree in the furtherance of terrorism, murder in the second degree and several weapons charges.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Hamilton and DeMaio were also found guilty of burglary in the first degree.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first degree
Cite this Entry
“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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