amputate

as in to sever
medical to remove (part of a person's body) His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amputate Perez was rushed to a hospital, where his legs were amputated before he was declared brain dead on Friday, Vazquez said. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025 This is where fans find out his right leg has been amputated from the knee down. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 11 Apr. 2025 The British driver was involved in a severe crash during a Formula 4 race and had to have both of his legs amputated. Daniel Wine, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025 The circus worker later had his arm amputated above the elbow in the hospital, the outlet added. Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amputate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amputate
Verb
  • University centers are bracing to lose their funding, which could sever the pipeline of scientists and physicians who specialize in occupational health and environmental toxicology.
    Will Stone, NPR, 2 May 2025
  • Now, President Donald Trump’s administration is moving to sever the link between academia and government by freezing billions of dollars in federal grants to top research institutions.
    Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Donald Trump is yanking federal funds from public media.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 2 May 2025
  • Soon thereafter, starving, Cage yanks the dead rat from the ground and holds it to his teeth, about to take a bite.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amputate. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on amputate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!