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decapitate

verb

di-ˈka-pə-ˌtāt How to pronounce decapitate (audio)
Definition of decapitatenext
as in to head
to cut off the head of a particularly gruesome series of murders in which the victims were decapitated

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decapitate
  1. head
  2. behead
Verb
  • There’s been no payback so far in terms of results and De Zerbi — a combustible Italian coach — is under growing pressure heading into a long international break.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • From 2027, Rebordinos will pass the reins to Maialen Beloki, his deputy director for 11 years and the first woman to head the San Sebastián Film Festival in its 74-year history.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of head
Verb
  • Images often associated with barbarism on screen, like beheading the dead to memorialize them, are approached with an uncanny gentleness.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Lizzie’s newfound happiness is shattered at the end of the second episode, however, when Abby enters her stepdaughter’s dovecote and beheads every bird inside after growing increasingly annoyed with their cooing during mating season.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of behead
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.

Browse Nearby Words

decants
decapitate
decapitated
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Cite this Entry

“Decapitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decapitate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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