Definitions

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.

A few dozen protested against the new death penalty law outside the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City on Monday.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

“It’s part of why I volunteered to serve in the military, to keep our country safe, but I think the death penalty has proven that it doesn’t deter crime and its been applied unfairly.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

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

Iran's judiciary called the claim "false news", saying the women had never faced the death penalty.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

California voters also came very close to banning the death penalty; the ballot initiative lost by only a couple of percentage points.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson