execute has definitions from the fields of law,criminal law
1
[ verb ] extend beyond reasonable limits

Synonyms

carry

Examples

"carry too far" "She carries her ideas to the extreme"

Used in print

(William S. Haymond, "Is Distance an Original...)

The supposed tactual sense of spatial location and orientation in the patient and his ability to specify the location of a member , as_well_as the direction and scope of a movement , passively executed ( with one of his members ) , proved to have been , on_the_contrary , very considerably affected '' .

2
[ verb ] (law) socially sanctioned killing as a means of punishment

Synonyms

put_to_death

Examples

"In some states, criminals are executed"

Used in print

(The Detroit News...)

Two Americans and seven Cubans were executed by firing_squads today as Castro military tribunals began decreeing the death_penalty for captured invasion forces and suspected collaborators .

(Robert Wallace, "This Is the Way It Came About"...)

In February the murder of Patrice_Lumumba , who had been kidnaped into Katanga and executed on order of Tshombe , again stirred the U._N. to action .

3
[ verb ] put in effect

Examples

"carry out a task" "execute the decision of the people" "He actioned the operation"

Used in print

(The Sun, [Baltimore]...)

The work is executed in England ( by_hand ) and can be worked in any desired design and color .

4
[ verb ] (criminal law) murder execution-style

Examples

"The Mafioso who collaborated with the police was executed"

Used in print

(Guideposts BR-E01. Mr. America, 4:6 (November, 1961)...)

He showed us how he dealt with his enemies : he executed them before TV cameras .

Related terms

murder

5
[ verb ] carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine

Synonyms

run

Examples

"Run the dishwasher" "run a new program on the Mac" "the computer executed the instruction"

Related terms

enforce step play

6
[ verb ] (law) carry out the legalities of

Examples

"execute a will or a deed"

Related terms

enforce give execution

7
[ verb ] carry out or perform an action

Synonyms

do perform

Examples

"John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters" "the skater executed a triple pirouette" "she did a little dance"

8
[ verb ] sign in the presence of witnesses

Related terms

sign

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