原文：

Death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is a government-sanctioned practice in which an individual is put to death by the state as a punishment for a crime. This practice has been used by societies for thousands of years, but it remains controversial and is increasingly being abolished in many countries around the world.

改写后：

Capital punishment, commonly known as the death penalty, involves the state executing an individual as a punishment for their crime. Despite being a practice that has existed for centuries, it continues to be a contentious issue, with many countries opting to abolish it.