eviscerate

[ verb ih-vis-uh-reyt; adjective ih-vis-er-it, -uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, e·vis·cer·at·ed, e·vis·cer·at·ing.

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).

eviscerate

/ 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

adjective

1. having been disembowelled

Derived Forms

• eˈviscerˌator, noun
• eˌviscerˈation, noun

Other Words From

• e·vis·cer·a·tion [ih-vis-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• e·vis·cer·a·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eviscerate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eviscerate¹

C17: from Latin ēviscerāre to disembowel, from viscera entrails

Example Sentences

When Victoria’s Secret announced it was revamping its brand, former “angel” Bridget Malcolm took to TikTok to eviscerate the company for the switch.

From Ozy

After all, that’s where in 2013 the court eviscerated part of the Voting Rights Act, making way for bills like those proposed in Texas.

From Time

The firm’s research also found that working from home, particularly for women, has completely eviscerated the boundaries between work and people’s personal lives.

From Time

The justices stopped short of eviscerating the Voting Rights Act, but nevertheless did significant damage to this vital civil rights law and to the freedom to vote.

From Washington Post

Danielle Bernstein, head of WeWoreWhat, got eviscerated on the platform for stealing designs, outfits and content from smaller creators, often people of color.

From Ozy

If paying your taxes is compelled speech in support of the government, can the First Amendment be used to eviscerate taxes?

From The Daily Beast

And yet, we witness professed Christians like Paul Ryan putting forward budgets that would eviscerate our common safety net.

From The Daily Beast

Romney appeared ready to “eviscerate Obamacare,” in the words of one attendee.

From The Daily Beast

Scientists are figuring out how to locate and eviscerate the worst moments of your life.

From The Daily Beast

Is it their custom to kill the wounded and to eviscerate such of their fellows as suffer damage?

From Project Gutenberg

It is decided to catch a trout, eviscerate him, and obtain internal and indisputable evidence.

From Project Gutenberg