Spanish Conversation · Level 156
30 words
Spanish word
sentenciar
Pronunciation
IPA/sentenˈθjaɾ/
Meaning
- verbsentence
Example
El juez sentenció al acusado.
The judge sentenced the defendant.
More examples
El equipo visitante sentenció la victoria con un gol tardío.
The away team clinched the victory with a late goal.
Core concept
Official court decision declaring criminal responsibility and imposing a penalty.
Common phrases
sentenciar que
conclude that
sentenciar la victoria
clinch the victory
sentenciar el resultado
determine the outcome
Similar words
condenar: Formally declare a person legally guilty and impose the corresponding punishment.
fallar: Decide a legal dispute and issue a judgment that settles the case.
dictar: Issue an official judicial decision, judgment, or administrative ruling.
imponer: Place a penalty, fine, or other sanction on a person or organization.
Definition in Spanish
Dictar en un proceso judicial la resolución que declara la responsabilidad penal de alguien y fija la pena aplicable.
Word origin
The verb derives from sentencia (ultimately Latin sententia 'judgment') with the verbalizer -ar and denotes the act of pronouncing guilt and imposing the legally applicable punishment.
Usage tips
- In news and courtroom language sentenciar is the standard verb for a judge's sentencing and contrasts with condenar, which more often expresses moral condemnation outside court.