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
Recent Examples on the Web
All four were booked into the Texas County jail Saturday, each for two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.
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Josh Dulaney, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The statement from authorities noted that, in addition to murder, Scott was also charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree at the time of his arrest.
—Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
Post was arrested three times in April, including on a charge of threatening in the first degree with intent to terrorize.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2024
The protesters were accused of one count each of criminal mischief in the first degree, criminal trespass in the first degree and breach of Peace, according to a news release from the Cromwell Police Department.
—Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the first degree 
Josh Dulaney, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
The statement from authorities noted that, in addition to murder, Scott was also charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree at the time of his arrest.
—Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
Post was arrested three times in April, including on a charge of threatening in the first degree with intent to terrorize.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2024
The protesters were accused of one count each of criminal mischief in the first degree, criminal trespass in the first degree and breach of Peace, according to a news release from the Cromwell Police Department.
—Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for in the first degree
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in the first degree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“In the first degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20degree. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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