stay of execution
Americannoun
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.
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
Sigmon's lawyer, Bo King, had been hoping for a last-minute stay of execution by the South Carolina governor and accused the state of withholding information about the lethal injection process.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2025
“Thank you, Soletta. Perhaps your mother will allow you a stay of execution for a few months.”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
