execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

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See synonyms for: execute / executed / executes / executing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

to carry out; accomplish: to execute a plan or order.

to perform or do: to execute a maneuver;to execute a gymnastic feat.

to inflict capital punishment on; put to death according to law.

to murder; assassinate.

to produce in accordance with a plan or design: a painting executed by an unknown artist.

to perform or play (a piece of music).

Law.

to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
to carry out the terms of (a will).
to transact or carry through (a contract, mortgage, etc.) in the manner prescribed by law; complete and give validity to (a legal instrument) by fulfilling the legal requirements, as by signing or sealing.

Computers. to run (a program or routine) or carry out (an instruction in a program).

verb (used without object), ex·e·cut·ed, ex·e·cut·ing.

to perform or accomplish something, as an assigned task.

Sports. to perform properly the fundamental moves or mechanics of a sport, game, position, or particular play; show smoothness in necessary skills: We just didn't execute defensively.

OTHER WORDS FOR execute

1 achieve, complete, consummate; finish.

7a enforce, apply.

See synonyms for execute on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of execute

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English executen, from Old French executer, from Medieval Latin execūtāre, derivative of Latin execūtus, past participle of ex(s)equī “to follow up, carry out (punishment), execute”; see ex-¹, sequence

synonym study for execute

2. See perform. 3. See kill¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjectiveex·e·cut·er, nounnon·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjectiveout·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), out·ex·e·cut·ed, out·ex·e·cut·ing.

pre·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), pre·ex·e·cut·ed, pre·ex·e·cut·ing.re·ex·e·cute, verb (used with object), re·ex·e·cut·ed, re·ex·e·cut·ing.un·ex·e·cut·a·ble, adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

kill¹, execute , murder (see synonym study at kill¹)

Words nearby execute

execrative, execratory, executable, executant, executary, execute, executed, execution, executioner, executive, executive agreement

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use execute in a sentence

The police department even confirmed that “it is common practice” for officers to request medical help before executing high-risk warrants.
The policing reforms in the Breonna Taylor settlement, explained|Fabiola Cineas|September 17, 2020|Vox
Then, there is the digital infrastructure required to execute the agency’s key activities properly.
How would an SEO agency be built today? Part 2: Current business model(s)|Sponsored Content: SEOmonitor|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Land
That number is up partly because planning and executing a virtual event takes less time than a physical one.
‘Eager to explore more’: Business Insider’s virtual events strategy lifts volume and plants evergreen on-demand feature|Max Willens|September 16, 2020|Digiday
We’ve heard about some pretty interesting, big ideas around how to execute that.
Deep Dive: How the Summer of 2020 forced brand marketing to change for the better|jim cooper|September 14, 2020|Digiday

The company’s chips are among the best at breaking up the manipulation of data into small pieces and then executing that in parallel at high speed.
Nvidia is buying SoftBank’s Arm chip division in biggest semiconductor deal ever|Claire Zillman, reporter|September 14, 2020|Fortune
The tour ended up costing us $147,802 to produce and execute.
How Much Money Does a Band Really Make on Tour?|Jack Conte|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Around noon, the order was given to execute the mission the next day.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it was the first time that I showed Lorne and Seth and everyone at the show that I could handle the pressure and execute.
How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite ‘Saturday Night Live’ Star|Kevin Fallon|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On June 3, the rebel leader announced he would execute Budik and another captive, a secret police colonel.
A Torture Survivor on Ukraine's Tortured Ceasefire|Anna Nemtsova|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They planned to take Indian diplomats hostage and then execute them as Modi was took office.
Nuclear Pakistan's Spies Target India—and Their Own Prime Minister|Bruce Riedel|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In case that they would not abandon the religion which they preached, the officials of Masamune commenced to execute their orders.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Indeed, in many cases a general agency requires the employment of many persons to execute the business.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The engine will be set to work before it is sent off, and every possible care taken to execute it in the most perfect order.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
Until the mortgagor fails to execute his part of the agreement, he retains possession of the property.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Sometimes the contract states what the offending or wrongful party must pay should he fail to execute it.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for execute

execute

/ (ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt) /

verb (tr)

to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon

to carry out; complete; perform; doto execute an order

to perform; accomplish; effectto execute a pirouette

to make or produceto execute a drawing

to carry into effect (a judicial sentence, the law, etc); enforce

law to comply with legal formalities in order to render (a deed, etc) effective, as by signing, sealing, and delivering

to sign (a will) in the presence of witnesses and in accordance with other legal formalities

to carry out the terms of (a contract, will, etc)

Derived forms of execute

executer, noun

Word Origin for execute

C14: from Old French executer, back formation from executeur executor

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

execute

OTHER WORDS FOR execute

Origin of execute

synonym study for execute

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

Words nearby execute

Words related to execute

How to use execute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for execute

Derived forms of execute

Word Origin for execute