Execute — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈek-si-ˌkyüt/ ex·e·cute

Meaning & Definition of Execute

Execute (verb)

  1. to carry (something) out fully, to put (something) completely into effect
  2. to do what is provided or required by (something)
  3. to put (someone) to death especially in compliance with a legal sentence

Execute (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to carry out effectively

    "the agency charged with executing the nation's drug laws"

    similar: administer, apply, enforce, implement
    related: bring about, effect, effectuate, discharge, fulfill, render, cite, invoke, enact, legislate, honor, observe, uphold, prosecute, promulgate
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect

  2. to carry through (as a process) to completion

    "when you execute this dance step, try to keep your arms a little higher"

    similar: accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, follow through (with), fulfill, make, negotiate, perform, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through, go through
    related: bring about, effect, effectuate, implement, ace, nail, engage (in), practice, work (at), reduplicate, reenact, repeat, actualize, attain, realize, complete, end, finish, wind up
    near: fail, skimp, slight, slur

  3. to put to death deliberately

    "during the war those convicted of desertion were summarily executed"

    similar: assassinate, bump off, croak (slang), dispatch, do in, get, ice (slang), knock off, liquidate, murder, neutralize, off (slang), put away, rub out, slay, snuff, take out, terminate, whack (slang), do away with
    related: blow away, shoot, shoot down, blot out, carry off, claim, cut down, destroy, fell, kill, smite, zap, butcher, massacre, mow (down), slaughter, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, exterminate, wipe out
    near: animate, raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Execute

The most common words with a similar meaning to Execute:

Slang: croak, ice, off, whack
administer, apply, enforce, implement, accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, follow through (with), fulfill, make, negotiate, perform, perpetrate, prosecute, pull off, put through, assassinate, bump off, dispatch, do in, get, knock off, liquidate, murder, neutralize, put away, rub out, slay, snuff, take out, terminate, go through, do away with

Related Words for Execute

bring about, effect, effectuate, discharge, render, cite, invoke, enact, legislate, honor, observe, uphold, promulgate, ace, nail, engage (in), practice, work (at), reduplicate, reenact, repeat, actualize, attain, realize, complete, end, finish, wind up, blow away, shoot

Near Antonyms of Execute

disregard, ignore, neglect, fail, skimp, slight, slur, animate, raise, restore, resurrect, resuscitate, revive

Word Forms of Execute

Inflections: executed, executing, executes

Origin & Etymology of Execute

Middle English, from Anglo-French executer, from execucion execution

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Execute

Frequently Asked Questions about Execute

What does "Execute" mean?

"Execute" means to carry (something) out fully, to put (something) completely into effect. As a verb, it is defined as: to carry (something) out fully, to put (something) completely into effect. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Execute"?

Other words for "Execute" include administer, apply, enforce, implement, accomplish, achieve, bring off and carry off. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Execute" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Execute"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Execute". Common alternatives include administer, apply, enforce, implement, accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out and commit.

What is a slang word for "Execute"?

Slang words for "Execute" include croak, ice, off and whack.

How do you use "Execute" in a sentence?

Examples of "Execute" in a sentence: "the agency charged with executing the nation's drug laws"; "when you execute this dance step, try to keep your arms a little higher"; "during the war those convicted of desertion were summarily executed".

Is "Execute" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Execute" is a verb.

Is "Execute" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Execute" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Execute"?

"Execute" is pronounced /ˈek-si-ˌkyüt/ and divided into syllables as ex·e·cute.