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 court heard Malik arrived in the UK less than 12 months before the attack, and the sentencing hearing was told his case has not yet been considered.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Three of the victims who waived their right to anonymity were present at the sentencing earlier.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Discretion that is “suitably directed and limited” would “ensure … the sentencing authority is apprised of the information relevant to the imposition of sentence and provided with standards to guide its use of that information.”

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

Borrowing language from an earlier case, Justice William Douglas argued that giving “untrammeled discretion” to the judge or jury to make sentencing decisions in capital cases was “offensive to … the Constitution.”

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

After sentencing, Paul wrote a letter home: “Dear Mother: I have been sentenced today to seven months imprisonment. Please do not worry. It will merely be a delightful rest. With love, Alice.”

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling