in the first degree

idiom

: of the most serious type : deserving the harshest punishment
She was accused of murder in the first degree.

Examples of in the first degree in a Sentence

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Jamal was charged with luring a child, stalking in the second degree and harassment in the first degree. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025 An unsealed, 11-count indictment on Tuesday charged Mangione, 26, with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree in the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson on December 4, along with other weapon and forgery charges. Emma Tucker, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 While not in custody, Morales has been charged with two counts of murder, murder with special circumstances, criminal possession of a firearm, assault in the first degree and criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024 Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life without parole. Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for in the first degree 

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Cite this Entry

“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

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