decapitate

[ dih-kap-i-teyt ]

/ dɪˈkæp ɪˌteɪt /

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See synonyms for decapitate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), de·cap·i·tat·ed, de·cap·i·tat·ing.

to cut off the head of; behead: Many people were decapitated during the French Revolution.

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Origin of decapitate

1605–15; <Late Latin dēcapitātus, past participle of dēcapitāre, equivalent to dē-de- + capit- (stem of caput) head + -ātus-ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM decapitate

de·cap·i·ta·tion, nounde·cap·i·ta·tor, noun

Words nearby decapitate

decanormal, decant, decanter, decapacitation, decapitalize, decapitate, decapitation, decapod, Decapolis, decapsulate, decapsulation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use decapitate in a sentence

In late May, Lewellen began to contemplate a decapitating strike against the southern Albemarle’s revolutionary elite.
The Rise and Fall of a Dangerous Political Movement in Revolutionary America|Brendan McConville|September 28, 2021|Time
If an enemy of the United States wanted to decapitate America’s national security leadership, they could hardly do a better job of it than Sens.
These Show Ponies Made Themselves Threats to Our National Security|David Rothkopf|September 27, 2021|The Daily Beast
He goes down and then I’m swinging, chopping on his neck, almost decapitated him.
Machine Gun Mundo Against the World|Eugene Robinson|April 23, 2021|Ozy
Many people have pointed out the contrast between the scene where John Walker brings down his shield on one of the Flag Smashers, decapitating him, and the scene where Steve looks like he’s about to do the same to Tony Stark.
All Your Falcon and the Winter Soldier Finale Questions, Answered|Eliana Dockterman|April 23, 2021|Time

One of the adults was decapitated in a single blow, the team found.
Bones from an Iron Age massacre paint a violent picture of prehistoric Europe|Curtis Segarra|October 6, 2020|Science News
They decapitate those men deemed foes of their faith and celebrate the gore online, holding up the severed heads.
Inside the Mind of an ISIS Jihadi|Jamie Dettmer|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maybe the Republicans will attempt to decapitate the federal government by leaving it without major cabinet officials.
Washington’s Endless Civil War|Robert Shrum|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The plane stopped a good hundred meters from where we are standing but it looks like it is going to decapitate us.
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’: Oscar Nominees Gary Oldman and Peter Straughan|Lorenza Muñoz|February 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
During the run-up to that war, the world was assured it would be a quick, painless fight intended only to decapitate the regime.
Cheat Sheet: Should the U.S. Intervene in Libya?|The Daily Beast|March 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Still in a dream, I stood at the back kitchen door and watched Dilsey decapitate the plumpest fowls the poultry yard boasted.
At the Age of Eve|Kate Trimble Sharber
Behold in them the double-bladed axe with which you decapitate the white old man whom you enthrone among your painted clouds!
Seraphita|Honore de Balzac
The black and white eunuchs keeping order in the streets decapitate without mercy every man who does not remain indoors.
Halil the Pedlar|Mr Jkai
When Ernest or Jack discovered one on their own persons at night they left no stone unturned to capture and decapitate it.
The Dogs of Boytown|Walter A. Dyer
This last is a very unpleasant idea, and helps to decapitate three unoffending primroses.
Faith and Unfaith|Duchess

British Dictionary definitions for decapitate

decapitate

/ (dɪˈkæpɪˌteɪt) /

verb

(tr) to behead

Derived forms of decapitate

decapitation, noundecapitator, noun

Word Origin for decapitate

C17: from Late Latin dēcapitāre, from Latin de- + caput head

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

decapitate

Origin of decapitate

OTHER WORDS FROM decapitate

Words nearby decapitate

Words related to decapitate

How to use decapitate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decapitate

Derived forms of decapitate

Word Origin for decapitate