sentencenoun [ C ]
uk/ˈsen.təns/us/ˈsen.təns/sentence noun [ C ] (WORD GROUP)
A1 a group of words, usually containing a verb, that expresses a thought in the form of a statement, question, instruction, or exclamation and starts with a capital letter when written:
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- 'Bob' is the subject of the sentence 'Bob threw the ball'.
- In the sentence 'I wish I were rich', the verb 'were' is in the subjunctive.
- Sorry, could you just say that last sentence again please?
- 'He was released from prison, ' is a passive sentence.
- In the sentence 'I sent Victoria a letter', 'send' is ditransitive.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: sentences & expressions
- anagram
- catchphrase
- cliché
- cliché-ridden
- coin
- compound sentence
- concessive clause
- declarative sentence
- expression
- figure of speech
- fronting
- idiom
- mission statement
- nugget
- phrasing
- proverb
- relative clause
- simple sentence
- tail
- war cry
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sentence noun [ C ] (PUNISHMENT)
B2 a punishment given by a judge in court to a person or organization after they have been found guilty of doing something wrong:
(of a judge) to say officially what a punishment will be:
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Punishing & punishments
- bar
- be brought/called to account idiom
- boot
- bring
- bum rap
- carrot
- chastise
- clobber
- crucify
- heads will roll! idiom
- kick
- kick (some) ass idiom
- non-custodial
- parking ticket
- penal
- skin sb alive idiom
- string
- strip
- throw
- throw the book at sb idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
sentenceverb [ T ]
uk/ˈsen.təns/us/ˈsen.təns/specializedB2 to decide and say officially what a punishment will be:
More examples
- Her sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.
- As it was her first conviction for stealing, she was given a less severe sentence.
- In some countries, drug-smuggling still carries the death sentence.
- The judge made an example of him and gave him the maximum possible sentence.
- He won his appeal and the sentence was halved.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Judges & juries
- beak
- challenge
- chief justice
- court of inquiry
- dismiss
- empanel
- foreman
- instruct
- judge
- jurist
- juror
- jury service
- justice
- Justice of the Peace
- rule
- set sth aside
- sheriff
- sum
- sum up
- worship
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