execute

[ ek-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

Save This Word!

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.

SYNONYMS FOR execute

1 achieve, complete, finish, consummate.

7a enforce, administer.

See synonyms for execute on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!

Question 1 of 12

On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.

it's

its

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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·ed, adjectiveun·ex·e·cut·ing, adjectivewell-ex·e·cut·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

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

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

Example sentences from the Web for execute

Robinhood has earned $453 million so far this year from “payment for order flow,” which involves obtaining rebates from market-making firms like Citadel Securities that execute Robinhood customers’ trades.
Robinhood co-founder steps down as co-CEO, leaving Vlad Tenev as sole chief ahead of a rumored IPO|Jeff|November 20, 2020|Fortune
While preparing the Congress dinners, Posey “shone in an all his splendor,” Custis wrote, and “his underlings flew in all directions to execute his orders.”
George Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving celebrated liberty. But the chef behind the feast had none.|Ramin Ganeshram|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
The defensive line’s proficiency up front has allowed the back seven to execute their system and clamp down tight.
The Indianapolis Colts Finally Built A Defensive Monster|Ty Schalter|November 19, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
In the middle of an unconventional offseason, there are still a lot more questions than answers to how, when and where the NHL plans to execute games and travel.
The NHL, facing more questions than answers, is still targeting a January start|Samantha Pell|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

Orlando Hall was executed just before midnight after the Supreme Court allowed the Justice Department to move forward with his federal death penalty.
Orlando Hall executed after Supreme Court declined to intervene|Ann Marimow|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Yet the email references the 1970s, “when police officers were ambushed and executed on a regular basis.”
We Need Our Police to Be Better Than This|Nick Gillespie|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The families had gathered that Sunday to remember Ali Bazzal, a soldier whom the Nusra Front declared they had executed on Dec. 6.
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last week, Robert Wayne Holsey of Georgia and Paul Goodwin of Missouri were executed within just a few hours of each other.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite Atkins, people with IQs lower than 70 have since been executed.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The way it was executed was maybe not satisfying to people, and it was in no way tied up in a bow.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to have executed immediately what is most expedient for the royal service in this matter.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The whole of the carving and sculptured work has been executed by Mr. John Roddis.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Francesco Bussone di Carmagnola, count de Castlenuovo, executed.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
He had to break his way through the thickets, see that some kind of a line was kept, and that orders were being executed.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
He was at once arrested, and on October 13th tried by court martial, condemned to death, and executed a few hours later.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

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

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

execute

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

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

SYNONYMS FOR execute

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Origin of execute

synonym study for execute

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

Example sentences from the Web for execute

British Dictionary definitions for execute

verb (tr)

Derived forms of execute

Word Origin for execute

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

execute

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

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

SYNONYMS FOR execute

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!

Origin of execute

synonym study for execute

OTHER WORDS FROM execute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH execute

Words related to execute

Example sentences from the Web for execute

British Dictionary definitions for execute

verb (tr)

Derived forms of execute

Word Origin for execute