capital punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

"capital punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a legal term referring to the death penalty imposed by a state as a punishment for a crime. For example: "Due to its horrific nature, many countries have abolished capital punishment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Believes capital punishment useless.

The New Yorker

Hello, capital punishment.

The New York Times

Comment on capital punishment.

The New Yorker

Comment about capital punishment.

The New Yorker

See also capital punishment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is capital punishment permissible?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is capital punishment just?

Princeton University

Is capital punishment moral?

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He's pro-capital punishment.

The New York Times

Capital Punishment.

Stanford University

25/1 Total ban of Capital Punishment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capital punishment" in formal and legal contexts to maintain precision and avoid ambiguity. In general discussions, "death penalty" is often more accessible.

Common error

Avoid using "capital punishment" when you mean "corporal punishment", which refers to physical punishment like spanking or caning. "Capital punishment" specifically means the death penalty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital punishment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It names a specific legal practice. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is often used in debates, discussions, and legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capital punishment" is a well-established noun phrase referring to the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The term appears most frequently in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. While synonymous with "death penalty", "capital punishment" often carries a more formal or legal tone. When writing, be mindful to differentiate it from "corporal punishment". Common discussion points are the morality and effectiveness of the punishment as well as bias in its implementation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

death penalty

A more common and widely recognized synonym for "capital punishment".

state-sanctioned execution

Emphasizes the role of the state in carrying out the execution.

judicial killing

Highlights the legal aspect of the act, though potentially more loaded.

lethal punishment

Focuses on the method and finality of the punishment.

execution of sentence

More formal and legalistic way to refer to the act.

ultimate sanction

Highlights the finality and severity of the punishment.

putting to death

A simpler, more direct way to express the concept.

taking a life by law

Emphasizes the legal framework involved in the act.

capital sentence

Refers to the judgment of death as a punishment, rather than the act itself.

extreme penalty

General term to describe the capital punishment with less legal focus.

FAQs

What is the definition of "capital punishment"?

"Capital punishment" is the practice of legally putting a person to death as a punishment for a crime, also known as the "death penalty".

How to use "capital punishment" in a sentence?

You can use "capital punishment" in sentences like: "The debate over "capital punishment" continues to be a contentious issue" or "Many countries have abolished "capital punishment" due to human rights concerns".

What are some arguments for and against "capital punishment"?

Arguments for "capital punishment" often include deterrence and retribution, while arguments against it include the risk of executing innocent people and ethical concerns about state-sponsored killing. There are various viewpoints and "opinions on capital punishment".

What can I say instead of "capital punishment"?

While "capital punishment" is widely accepted and suitable for formal use, you can use alternatives like "death penalty" or "state-sanctioned execution" depending on the context.