peremptory challenge

noun

: a challenge (as of a juror) made as of right without assigning any cause

Examples of peremptory challenge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In a letter sent this week to District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the San Jose Police Officers’ Association asks Rosen’s office to issue blanket peremptory challenges to recuse Judge Hector Ramon from criminal cases. —

Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024 Using what are known as peremptory challenges, lawyers can strike a certain number of prospective jurors without necessarily having to provide a reason. —

Tim Arango, New York Times, 13 May 2024 This time around, each side will have less opportunity to dismiss potential jurors because both used six of their 10 peremptory challenges earlier this week. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024 The attorneys will also select up to six alternate jurors, and the two sides will receive five more peremptory challenges during that process. —

Graham Kates, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peremptory challenge

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peremptory challenge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of peremptory challenge was in 1530

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Peremptory challenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peremptory%20challenge. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.

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