executioner

[ ek-si-kyoo-shuh-ner ]

/ ˌɛk sɪˈkyu ʃə nər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR executioner ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuance of a legal warrant.

a person who executes an act, will, judgment, etc.

RELATED WORDS

killer, garroter, strangler, lyncher

Nearby words

executable, executant, executary, execute, execution, executioner, executive, executive agreement, executive branch, executive class, executive council

Origin of executioner

First recorded in 1555–65; execution + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for executioner

I Am An Executioner offers a fiercely creative—and deeply morbid—vision of what it takes to stay alive.
Must Read Fiction: ‘Prague Fatale,’ ‘Derby Day’ and More|Malcolm Forbes, Hillary Kelly, Mythili Rao|May 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“Oh, by a new method, which I have invented myself,” declared the Executioner.
Dick, Marjorie and Fidge|G. E. Farrow
For what's the object of being an Executioner if one can't execute?
John Dough and the Cherub|L. Frank Baum
He told the Executioner, he was a strong man, and Prayed to be put out of misery as soon as possible.
Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period|Various

And why would an Executioner that is higher again in the profession be checked.
Three Wonder Plays|Lady I. A. Gregory
Not quite,” answered the Executioner, who was putting the finishing touches to the effigy; “his head keeps tumbling off.
Dick, Marjorie and Fidge|G. E. Farrow

British Dictionary definitions for executioner

executioner

/ (ˌɛksɪˈkjuːʃənə) /

noun

an official charged with carrying out the death sentence passed upon a condemned person

an assassin, esp one appointed by a political or criminal organization

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