sentencing

VERB

decide punishment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blame condemn confine convict imprison incarcerate jail penalize punish

STRONG

adjudge adjudicate damn denounce devote doom impound judge ordain proscribe railroad rule settle

WEAK

mete out pass judgment put away put on ice send to prison send up the river take the fall throw the book at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

exonerate free let go liberate pardon praise release reward

STRONG

commend

WEAK

accuse charge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sentences handed down in the case were widely panned as extreme, considering the actual actions of the defendants and their lack of the sort of criminal records that would typically result in harsher sentencing.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

Explaining his sentencing decision to Southampton Crown Court, Judge Nicholas Rowland said he wanted to avoid "criminalising" the boys unnecessarily.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

Following Holder's sentencing, Detective Constable Elle MacLeod, who led the investigation for Gloucestershire Police, said Gemma had potentially prevented other individuals becoming victims of Holder.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

During the sentencing hearing, victim impact statements were read, including one from Kessler’s widow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

But under Pennsylvania law, the judge could not take the absence of intent into account during sentencing.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson