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Eighth Amendment

American  

noun

  1. an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing reasonable bail, fines, and punishment.


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 Justice Department’s 52-page report found the use of pentobarbital to carry out death sentences is consistent with the Eighth Amendment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Isabella County, many other state and local governments and the Justice Department have pushed back hard against this argument, saying the Eighth Amendment doesn’t apply to penalties unrelated to crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, including the denial of necessary medical care for inmates.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

That alone should mean that shipping people there runs afoul of domestic laws and potentially the Eighth Amendment, if indeed the U.S. can be legally considered the jailer.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2025

In 2005, the Court recognized that differences between children and adults required that kids be shielded from the death penalty under the Eighth Amendment.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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