as in severing
medical
to remove (part of a person's body)
His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.
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Recent Examples of amputating
Before his death, attempts had been made to save Abrahams by amputating his leg, ITV reported.
—
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
The main characters, who wake up chained to pipes, quickly realize amputating their own foot is the only means of escape.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
What to know about California’s new claw law Declawing a cat involves cutting and amputating the first joint of a cat’s paw — essentially removing the toe, according to the San Francisco SPCA.
—Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
The main characters, who wake up chained to pipes, quickly realize amputating their own foot is the only means of escape.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
What to know about California’s new claw law Declawing a cat involves cutting and amputating the first joint of a cat’s paw — essentially removing the toe, according to the San Francisco SPCA.
—Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amputating
Verb
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After severing the large roots, use a mattock or shovel to loosen soil for easier removal.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, many Black neighborhoods were gravely impacted by redlining, divestment and freeway construction, severing economic stability and reducing access to green spaces and fresh food.—
Martine Thompson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Lancers are feisty, diving for loose balls, yanking the ball out of opponents’ hands and not being shy about questioning an official’s call.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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Chelsea Marie Struss was seen on video pushing, hitting, dropping, and yanking infants in her care.—
Vanessa Carlson Bender,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amputating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amputating. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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