capital offense

1. A crime, such as murder or betrayal of one's country, that is treated so seriously that death may be considered an appropriate punishment.

Example Sentences

The 23-year-old Army private faces a litany of charges, including aiding the enemy, a capital offense.

From The Daily Beast

A decree was issued making it a capital offense to harbor missionaries of any garb.

From Project Gutenberg

But the civil law of Rome extirpated this barbarous privilege, and rendered the killing of a slave a capital offense.

From Project Gutenberg

For a bee to force its way into a strange city without the queens consent is a capital offense.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the laws proclaimed by Dale, absence from church was a capital offense.

From Project Gutenberg

Disobedience of parents was voted a capital offense and so was Sabbath-breaking even to the extent of picking up sticks.

From Project Gutenberg