as in to head
to cut off the head of
Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded for plotting against Queen Elizabeth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 behead
Three men who supported the Islamic State group were convicted of beheading the victims and sentenced to death—the first such penalty in Morocco since 1993.
—
Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The father was beheaded by the militants, according to OD field contacts.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The real-life Cromwell was beheaded in 1540 on orders from Henry VIII.
—Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Jane, who may have been as young as 16, is shown blindfolded as an executioner with an axe waits to behead her.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
There, inside the building that had until then been considered a sanctuary, they were first tied up, and then all 70 were beheaded, the groups say.
—Paul Tilsley, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025
An Islamist group linked to Islamic State called the AFD are feared to have beheaded the victims with machetes.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Members of Daesh, a terror organization, beheaded the 21 men on the beach and then posted the photographs in Dabiq, its propaganda magazine.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
On February 8, Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The father was beheaded by the militants, according to OD field contacts.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The real-life Cromwell was beheaded in 1540 on orders from Henry VIII.
—Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Jane, who may have been as young as 16, is shown blindfolded as an executioner with an axe waits to behead her.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
There, inside the building that had until then been considered a sanctuary, they were first tied up, and then all 70 were beheaded, the groups say.
—Paul Tilsley, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025
An Islamist group linked to Islamic State called the AFD are feared to have beheaded the victims with machetes.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025
Members of Daesh, a terror organization, beheaded the 21 men on the beach and then posted the photographs in Dabiq, its propaganda magazine.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
On February 8, Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behead
Verb
-
The Dow is heading for its worst April since 1932, according to Dow Jones Market Data, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Now, the bill heads to Trump’s desk where he’s expected to sign it into law.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
However, while removing the brace, she was internally decapitated, per the Daily Mail.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
But when the staffer returned 15 minutes later, according to Campbell, the carcass had been decapitated.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Behead.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behead. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share