capital punishment

[ kap-i-tl puhn-ish-muhnt ]

/ ˈkæp ɪ tl ˈpʌn ɪʃ mənt /

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See synonyms for capital punishment on Thesaurus.com

noun

punishment by death for a crime; death penalty.

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Origin of capital punishment

First recorded in 1575–85

Words nearby capital punishment

capital loss, capitally, capital market, capital offense, capital outlay, capital punishment, capital resources, capital ship, capital stock, capital structure, capital sum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use capital punishment in a sentence

For the first time since she joined the court in October, Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with liberal colleagues in a capital punishment case, saying federal law requires states to make accommodations for prisoners like Smith.
Supreme Court says Alabama cannot execute inmate without his pastor present|Robert Barnes|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Northam, on the other hand, called for an end to capital punishment in his State of the Commonwealth address in January.
Why It's So Significant That Virginia Looks Set To Abolish the Death Penalty|Madeleine Carlisle|February 9, 2021|Time
The repeal of capital punishment in Virginia takes our Commonwealth out of the business of determining life and death and ends a practice that a majority of Virginians oppose.
Virginia legislature votes to abolish the death penalty|Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
While democratic party leaders are worried about “slogans”, movement leaders say that defund applies to the system of capital punishment as well.
Brandon Bernard’s Execution Raises Serious Questions About Efficacy Of Death Penalty|Kirsten West Savali|December 11, 2020|Essence.com

At the 2017 hearing, she noted that she had worked on death cases as a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, who supported capital punishment.
Supreme Court continues capital punishment trend with Barrett on the bench|Robert Barnes|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Gunshots rang out in Paris this morning on a second day of deadly violence that has stunned the French capital.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In an act of corporal punishment that we at the Daily Beast do not condone, Joseph grabbed Him by the ear and “pulled hard.”
Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror?|Candida Moss|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Christians and Hindus are accused of insulting Islam in Pakistan, the punishment is harsh.
Disco Mullah Blasphemy Row Highlights Pakistan’s Hypocrisy|Shaheen Pasha|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The mistletoe must have been hanging right across the aisle on Capital Hill.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Though, some would still indulge, even with the risk of punishment.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Capital, capital," his lordship would remark with great alacrity, when there was no other way of escape.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
When we speak against one capital vice, we ought to speak against its opposite; the middle betwixt both is the point for virtue.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
The fact that the day following the punishment parade was a Sunday brought about a certain relaxation from discipline.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
These evidences of an impulse to look on correction as a quite proper thing are corroborated by stories of self-punishment.
Children's Ways|James Sully
The moon rose on a terrified mob trudging or riding the forty miles of road between Meerut and the Mogul capital.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for capital punishment

capital punishment

noun

the punishment of death for a crime; death penalty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for capital punishment (1 of 2)

capital punishment

The infliction of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes. (See capital offense.)

notes for capital punishment

In the United States, capital punishment has been an extremely controversial issue on legal, moral, and ethical grounds. In 1972, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was not, in principle, cruel and unusual punishment (and not, therefore, unconstitutional), but that its implementation through existing state laws was unconstitutional. In 1976, the Supreme Court again ruled that the death penalty was not unconstitutional, though a mandatory death penalty for any crime was. Thirty-nine states now practice the death penalty.

Cultural definitions for capital punishment (2 of 2)

capital punishment

The death penalty for a crime.

capital punishment

Origin of capital punishment

Words nearby capital punishment

Words related to capital punishment

How to use capital punishment in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for capital punishment

Cultural definitions for capital punishment (1 of 2)

notes for capital punishment

Cultural definitions for capital punishment (2 of 2)