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.

President Trump, in his first term, reactivated the federal death penalty after a 17-year hiatus and put 13 inmates to death in its final months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The death penalty is normally carried out at the state level in the United States but the federal government can also seek execution for a limited set of crimes.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

The DA's office could eventually seek the death penalty in the case, he added.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

California’s next governor would have the power to end Newsom’s moratorium on the death penalty, appoint state judges and grant state pardons.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Even when the Stasi threatened him with the death penalty, Seidel would not identify a single fellow tunneler.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin