beheading

present participle of behead
as in heading
to cut off the head of Mary, Queen of Scots, was beheaded for plotting against Queen Elizabeth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 beheading Cobos-Martinez is accused of beheading Nagamallaiah during a machete attack in Dallas. Kate Plummer shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 The suspect is accused of attacking and ultimately beheading another man in a violent incident at an area motel Wednesday. Nic F. Anderson, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 The man accused of beheading his boss at a Dallas motel with a machete on Wednesday is a Cuban national who is in the United States illegally, authorities say. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025 The jihadist groups have been accused of beheading villagers and kidnapping children to be used as laborers or child soldiers. Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beheading
Verb
  • After losing to the Carolina Panthers last week by a final score of 30-27, the Cowboys hold a 2-3-1 record heading into the NFC East rivalry showdown.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Center spot may be fluid Besides the health of Ball and Miller, the other question mark the Hornets faced heading into training camp at The Citadel focused on the center position.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Israel, already emerging from a year of history-bending military operations—crippling Hamas in Gaza, decapitating Hezbollah's command structure, and setting back Iran's nuclear program—now stands at the threshold of something larger.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Winnecke is accused of killing and decapitating his father.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beheading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beheading. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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