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life sentence

American  

noun

  • life sentences
    plural
  1. a sentence condemning a convicted felon to spend the rest of their life in prison.


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Noun Inflected Forms

Example Sentences

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While Brooks served his life sentence, the criminal justice system was being revolutionized through the introduction of DNA evidence and, with it, proof that innocent people had been convicted.

From Salon Aug. 10, 2026

"Unfortunately, a cancer diagnosis is like a life sentence."

From BBC Jul. 28, 2026

Perez’s only request to the court was that Zambada be spared the fate of El Chapo, who is serving out his life sentence under strict isolation at a federal supermax prison in Colorado.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 20, 2026

The 76-year-old is the former top associate of the organization's kingpin founder, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison in Colorado.

From Barron's Jul. 20, 2026

It certainly wasn’t coming from Dreyfus, who was then serving a life sentence on Devil’s Island, Simon’s former home.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

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