verb
execute
To put someone to death as an official punishment.
The history describes a ruler who executed political opponents.
Etymology
The Latin verb means to carry out. The death-penalty sense specializes carrying out a judgment to carrying out a sentence that requires a condemned person’s death.
More examples
- The prisoner was executed after the trial.
- Officials refused the order to execute the captives.
- The memorial names people executed under the regime.
Forms
execute · executes · executed · executing
Similar words
- put to death
- The plain equivalent.
- kill
- Cause death without specifying legal punishment.