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stay of execution

American  

noun

  • stays of execution
    plural
  1. Law. a court order that delays enforcement of a legal ruling, especially a court order that delays the enforcement of a death penalty.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


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.

See Examples For:

But such a last-minute stay of execution brings its own challenges for those to whom they are granted.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

But the beleaguered 63-year UK leader appears to have been granted a stay of execution, of sorts, while Burnham's fate is decided in the Makerfield by-election.

From Barron's ● May 16, 2026

But sometimes courts have to act to prevent harm as litigation continues at its ordinary pace—for example, by issuing a stay of execution while considering a death-penalty appeal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 26, 2026

Even with their flaws and mistakes, Rob Pelinka and rookie coach JJ Redick earned at least a stay of execution.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2025

The trial judge had denied our request for a stay of execution by the time I got back to Montgomery.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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