death penalty

NOUN

execution of a condemned person

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capital punishment

WEAK

death sentence death warrant execution judicial execution judicial murder legalized killing

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.

Boelter also faces state charges in connection with the shooting but Minnesota does not have the death penalty.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Prosecutors have not yet said whether they’ll seek the death penalty in his case if he’s convicted.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Multiple Zizian trials are pending, with federal prosecutors seeking the death penalty in one case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern break down the Broadview Six dismissal and the Supreme Court’s surprising punt in a major death penalty case.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

This lady’s grandson might be facing life imprisonment without parole, but given the overwhelming number of death penalty cases on our docket, I couldn’t rationalize taking on his case.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson