death sentence

noun

1
: a sentence condemning a convicted defendant to death
2
: an affliction or a situation that is considered to be fatal
also : a prognosis of death

Examples of death sentence in a Sentence

She received a death sentence for the murders.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Springsteen received a death sentence, while Scott received life in prison. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 While a jury can recommend life or death, a judge has the final say on whether to impose a death sentence. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026 But when public pressure, including online harassment, coincided with mounting physical and mental health struggles, the streamer made a decision that’s often considered a death sentence in the industry. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026 Imagine you’re diagnosed with lung cancer, which historically had been a death sentence. — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for death sentence

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of death sentence was in 1655

Rhymes for death sentence

See All Rhymes for death sentence

Browse Nearby Words

death row
death sentence
deathsman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Death sentence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20sentence. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

death sentence

see also:
sentence
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