Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb execute
7 senses of execute
Sense 1
execute, put to death -- (kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment; "In some states, criminals are executed")
=> kill -- (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly; "This man killed several people when he tried to rob a bank"; "The farmer killed a pig for the holidays")
=> punish, penalize, penalise -- (impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on; "The students were penalized for showing up late for class"; "we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again")
Sense 2
execute -- (murder in a planned fashion; "The Mafioso who collaborated with the police was executed")
=> murder, slay, hit, dispatch, bump off, off, polish off, remove -- (kill intentionally and with premeditation; "The mafia boss ordered his enemies murdered")
Sense 3
carry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfil -- (put in effect; "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation")
=> complete, finish -- (come or bring to a finish or an end; "He finished the dishes"; "She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree"; "The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours")
=> effect, effectuate, set up -- (produce; "The scientists set up a shock wave")
Sense 4
execute -- (carry out the legalities of; "execute a will or a deed")
=> enforce, implement, apply -- (ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";)
Sense 5
run, execute -- (carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine; "Run the dishwasher"; "run a new program on the Mac"; "the computer executed the instruction")
=> enforce, implement, apply -- (ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone";)
Sense 6
perform, execute, do -- (carry out or perform an action; "John did the painting, the weeding, and he cleaned out the gutters"; "the skater executed a triple pirouette"; "she did a little dance")
Sense 7
execute -- (sign in the presence of witnesses; "The President executed the treaty")
=> sign -- (be engaged by a written agreement; "He signed to play the casino on Dec. 18"; "The soprano signed to sing the new opera")