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sentenciar

to sentence

verb sen-ten-SYAHR Less Common

Also means

to condemn

Usage Note

Sentenciar is primarily a legal term meaning to pass a formal sentence on someone; the judge sentencia al acusado. Figuratively it also means to deliver a definitive judgement or pronouncement. The related noun sentencia means both a court verdict and a maxim or proverb. It is a regular -ar verb.

Examples

"El juez sentenció al acusado a cinco años de prisión."

Natural Translation

The judge sentenced the defendant to five years in prison.

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