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
The protesters were accused of one count each of criminal mischief in the first degree, criminal trespass in the first degree and breach of Peace, according to a news release from the Cromwell Police Department.
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Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
In their statement to PEOPLE, the New York Police Department said Scott is charged with first- and second-degree murder as well as reckless endangerment in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
He was indicted on charges of manslaughter in the first degree, assault with intent to cause serious physical injuries with a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree for the Feb. 17 beatdown that ended the 46-year-old father’s life, court records show.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 June 2024
Summer Meeks, 21, homeless of Fort Smith, is charged with battery in the first degree.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the first degree 
Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
In their statement to PEOPLE, the New York Police Department said Scott is charged with first- and second-degree murder as well as reckless endangerment in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
He was indicted on charges of manslaughter in the first degree, assault with intent to cause serious physical injuries with a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree for the Feb. 17 beatdown that ended the 46-year-old father’s life, court records show.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 June 2024
Summer Meeks, 21, homeless of Fort Smith, is charged with battery in the first degree.
—Sadie Lacicero, arkansasonline.com, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the first degree
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in the first degree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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