SENTENCES Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

sentences 1 of 2

noun

plural of sentence

as in rulings

a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard he received a light sentence because it was his first offense and he was an otherwise upstanding citizen

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sentences

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sentence

as in condemns

to impose a judicial punishment on the judge sentenced him to a fine of $50 and time served

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of sentences

Noun

In a September hearing, Judge Davis VanderVelde sentenced Kirkman to 35 years to life for both murders, with the sentences running concurrently. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026 Terrorism sentences are tougher, and counter-terrorism forces have greater investigative powers. — CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 The four were among 57 people granted clemency Thursday, including 30 whose prison sentences were commuted and 27 who received pardons, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Finding pain in a neural network Tagliabue and his coauthors, Leonard Dung of Ruhr University Bochum and Cameron Berg, founder and director of Reciprocal Research, started by writing short first-person sentences describing painful situations. — Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 The defendants face potential sentences totaling 25 years in prison on the three charges combined. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Eric Seiferth says sentences are often extremely long, especially at Angola. — Sea Stachura, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 Three men in Mexico received 158-year prison sentences Friday for the murders of Australian surfers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Trump had called for the leakers to face long-term jail sentences. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Identifying whether a person has psychopathic characteristics may also be relevant to how a court sentences them after conviction. — David Dematteo, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 Lench ruled at the time that Weinstein cannot serve his New York and Los Angeles sentences concurrently. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Then with Lee, in the timeline closest to our present day, her heartbreaking, hard-to-stomach testimony means nothing to a callous judge who sentences her to death three times over. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026 Courts have upheld both inmates’ sentences Duckett and Occhicone were both convicted by juries, and appellate courts have denied multiple attempts to overturn their death sentences – although Duckett has maintained his innocence. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 The founder's name anchors sentences about the company's achievements. — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 On March 30, a Paris court convicts Le Pen and other National Rally officials of misusing European Parliament funds, sentences her to prison and bars her from seeking public office for five years with immediate effect. — ABC News, 6 July 2026 A student can ask what claim the file appears to make, where the evidence is thin, which sentences sound inflated, and which lines could have been written by almost any strong applicant. — Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Charming sentences to find in a book by the sitting vice president of the United States! — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentences

Noun

To circumvent the council’s rulings, Khan created a development corporation, a mayoral body that could take control of the area and assume planning powers from the council.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Courts across the country have delivered conflicting rulings on the issue, and many expect the Supreme Court will likely be needed to resolve the dispute.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rulings

Verb

The documentary condemns The Swan for manufacturing reality, while offering its own more morally satisfying reality.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemns

Noun

Goliath remained closed as families entered the park, and officials offered no new findings about the fatal incident.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Using Imdelltra earlier Amgen said the findings also suggest that using Imdelltra earlier in a patient's treatment could meaningfully alter the trajectory of the disease.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of findings

Verb

This type of leader isn’t likely to emerge in a political culture that rewards antics and showmanship and punishes seriousness and integrity.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026
That timeline rewards commitment and punishes constant switching, which is how most routines fail.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of punishes

Noun

Kang also points to the pairing of family drama with a mystery that keeps forcing audiences to rethink both the characters and their own verdicts.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The verdicts followed a month-long trial that included testimony about one victim pleading for his life before the killings.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of verdicts

Verb

Despite some promise across its eight episodes, the Prime original series builds to a deflating conclusion that dooms the entire project.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Fans continue to ask Carney about Hadestown’s climactic moment, when Orpheus dooms Eurydice forever by turning to look at her on the road back from hell.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of dooms

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“Sentences.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentences. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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