Synonyms

execute

American

[ek-si-kyoot] / ˈɛk sɪˌkyut /

verb (used with object)

executed, executing

to carry out; accomplish.

to execute a plan or order.

Synonyms:

finish, consummate, complete, achieve
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.
1. to give effect or force to (a law, decree, judicial sentence, etc.).
2. to carry out the terms of (a will).
3. 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)

executed, executing

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.

execute British

/ ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt /

verb

to put (a condemned person) to death; inflict capital punishment upon
to carry out; complete; perform; do

to execute an order
to perform; accomplish; effect

to execute a pirouette
to make or produce

to 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)

"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

Related Words

See perform. See kill ¹.

Other Word Forms

executable adjective
executer noun
nonexecutable adjective
outexecute verb (used with object)
preexecute verb (used with object)
reexecute verb (used with object)
unexecutable adjective
unexecuting adjective

Etymology

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”; ex- ¹, sequence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Execution is another thing and I certainly didn't execute as well as I could have."

From BBC

“If we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department, or maybe we don’t have to use them at all. Maybe negotiations will work.”

From Los Angeles Times

Public, a privately held brokerage firm, is rolling out a feature allowing customers to use AI to automate investing tactics and execute trades.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We have assembled a comprehensive, flexible financing package designed to execute our strategic plan, and materially strengthened our ability to build and certify Valo.”

From Barron's

“We are in active negotiations with multiple counterparties, but as of today, we’ve not executed a definitive lease agreement,” Fermi Chief Financial Officer Miles Everson said on a conference call Monday morning.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023