eviscerate

American  

[ih-vis-uh-reyt, ih-vis-er-it, -uh-reyt] / ɪˈvɪs əˌreɪt, ɪˈvɪs ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

eviscerated, eviscerating

1. to remove the entrails from; disembowel.

   to eviscerate a chicken.

2. to deprive of vital or essential parts.

   The censors eviscerated the book to make it inoffensive to the leaders of the party.

3. Surgery. to remove the contents of (a body organ).

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eviscerate British  

/ ɪˈvɪsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to remove the internal organs of; disembowel

2. (tr) to deprive of meaning or significance

3. (tr) surgery to remove the contents of (the eyeball or other organ)

4. (intr) surgery (of the viscera) to protrude through a weakened abdominal incision after an operation

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adjective

1. having been disembowelled

Other Word Forms

• evisceration noun
• eviscerator noun

Etymology

Origin of eviscerate

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin ēviscerātus, past participle of ēviscerāre “to deprive of entrails, tear to pieces,” equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + viscer(a) viscera + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The technology “threatens to eviscerate workers’ rights and cause widespread job loss,” the group said in a joint letter with AFL-CIO leaders in different states.

From Los Angeles Times

He didn’t know anyone who could eviscerate someone with words quite like Aunt Hila.

From Literature

With the help of Elon Musk and DOGE, the largest funding agency for humanitarian and development aid worldwide was eviscerated.

From Salon

Field office and call center staff also have been eviscerated.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the ironies: He got nothing of value on the cellphone that so enraged the sheriff, and prosecutors never called him to testify at trial, knowing the defense was likely to eviscerate him.

From Los Angeles Times