Synonym Chooser

How does the verb execute contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of execute are accomplish, achieve, discharge, effect, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When is it sensible to use accomplish instead of execute?

While in some cases nearly identical to execute, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How do achieve and accomplish relate to one another, in the sense of execute?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

When is discharge a more appropriate choice than execute?

The words discharge and execute are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

How are the words effect and achieve related as synonyms of execute?

Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

In what contexts can fulfill take the place of execute?

The synonyms fulfill and execute are sometimes interchangeable, but fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When might perform be a better fit than execute?

While the synonyms perform and execute are close in meaning, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

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 execute The league executed one group of warrants, let one lapse and is still sitting on the third, according to SEC filings. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025 Rollins was seen favoring his shoulder after executing a coast-to-coast maneuver. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 These systems, built on top of LLMs, are pitched as autonomous digital workers that can write and run code, search the internet, operate software, and execute business tasks with minimal oversight. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025 Currently, there are no specifics as to how much land has been burned or the size of the crew executing the prescribed fire. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for execute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for execute
Verb
  • While thousands focused on the federal government at the rally, at least one woman seemed more concentrated on calling out how Attorney General Andrea Campbell has refused to enforce the legislative audit that state voters approved last November.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The city’s inability to enforce its ordinances for bad actors brings down the surrounding neighborhoods, makes the city less safe and less pedestrian- and transit-friendly, all of which are a drag on the city’s image and the small businesses on University Avenue.
    Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Although the Peacock adaptation didn't show a full shot of Gacy in his clown costume, the series included scenes of him talking about his passion for dressing up as a clown and publicly performing as one.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In service jobs, Black workers labored as porters, chauffeurs, and servers; in manufacturing plants, white supremacist pseudoscience was harnessed to justify forcing Black workers to perform the most difficult and dangerous work.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kirk was assassinated during a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September.
    Mitch Picasso , Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Political commentator Candace Owens, does not believe the official story that Charlie Kirk was assassinated by Tyler Robinson even though Robinson confessed to multiple people and investigators put together a concrete timeline of events.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Citing climate change concerns and the melting ice sheet, Greenland implemented a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in 2021—seemingly bringing all oil dreams to an end—but the government agreed that White Flame’s licenses were grandfathered and remained valid.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Part of the reason for her caution, Keet says, is that her own research has found families haven't been fully implementing the new guidelines, in many cases due to fear that exposing an infant to peanut products might also endanger a sibling or parent who's allergic.
    NPR, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This has been accomplished under interim coach Tommy Hinch (formerly the team's offensive coordinator), who took over after Andy Bartsch announced his resignation in early July.
    Cecil Joyce, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This, to me, is the vastly more impressive feat that Showgirl has accomplished this week.
    Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In Germany, every day, one woman is being murdered by her husband, boyfriend, whatever.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In 2017, the Gardaí received a tip that the Kinahans had hired Imre Arakas, an Estonian hit man known as the Butcher, to murder James Gately, a member of the Hutch gang who lived in Belfast.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Unfortunately, the serial killer known as John Doe is ritualistically slaying victims by turning the seven deadly sins into symbolic, atrocious murders.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Buckeyes and Ryan Day still need to slay the Michigan monster at the end of this book, and both have dates with a suddenly feisty UCLA.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each formation has its own strengths and weaknesses, and can vary significantly depending on the roles a manager is asking their players to fulfil.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • King Charles and Queen Camilla are fulfilling a commitment that was originally scheduled during Charles' visit to Rome in April.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Execute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/execute. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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