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

The death penalty returned after a brief period of suspension when the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Gregg v.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

I was in a poor rural county in Alabama after another trip to pull records in a death penalty case when I was invited to speak at a small African American church.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson