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 John Adams’s Antony and Cleopatra might be one of the most precisely engineered, solidly constructed, and elegantly executed operas of the past 25 years. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025 Part of the appeal was that the technique is fairly intuitive—paint the base color, then dab a textured sponge into the second color and blot—and technically, there’s no wrong way to execute it. Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 May 2025 Florida has executed Gulf War veteran Jeffrey Hutchinson for the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her three children despite a letter from 129 veterans arguing that Hutchinson's mind was a casualty of war. James Powel, USA Today, 3 May 2025 Insiders at a company use the plan to sell stock when pre-set conditions are met around price or trading volume, or to execute trades without benefiting from privileged information. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for execute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for execute
Verb
  • The town code officer will enforce the ordinance, issuing fines of $100 for first violations, $200 for second ones, and $500 for third ones.
    Shawn P. Sullivan, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Accountability must be more than a principle—it must be enforced.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Ancelotti is the epitome of a man-manager, able to empower his players to perform to their best of their ability without requiring too much tactical instruction.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Like her older sisters Elle and Jane, Hansen has helped carry on a winning tradition at Cohasset as a hybrid athlete with the ability to perform just about anything on the field with success.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • This time, his assignment takes him to Serbia, as he is tasked with assassinating the merciless General Mile Valstoria (Peter Linka).
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • The group is suspected of assassinating the majority of the more than 133 indigenous social leaders killed in northern Cauca between 2016 and 2024.
    Elizabeth Dickinson, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The bill is also expected to roll back several clean energy provisions implemented under former President Joe Biden and increase spending on defense and border security.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • That’s why travelers flying in the U.S. can’t expect the FAA (which hasn’t updated its airplane mode rule since 2017) to implement the same technology any time soon.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • They were sentenced in 1996 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering their father, Jose Menendez, and mother, Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.
    Jaimie Ding, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story focuses on the dark true story of two married serial killers who abused, raped, and murdered several young women and girls, including their own children, in the Gloucester area between 1967 and 1987.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Karen Carter, 65, was discovered slain in Dordogne, in southwestern France, on April 29, the BBC reported, citing the state prosecutor.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 7 May 2025
  • The number of people slain so far in 2025: 116. Chicago homicides, by year Data for 2025 is updated through April 30, 2025.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • The house not only supplied the actresses with clothes, jewelry, accessories and makeup, but also provided a portion of the budget to allow director Olivier Assayas to fulfill his dream of shooting the movie on 35-mm film instead of digitally.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 May 2025
  • But the recent tariff cut has given them a chance to ramp up shipments from China and restock their warehouses and fulfill existing orders, supply chain experts say.
    Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined the father fatally stabbed his sons and wife before killing himself.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Now that Anne Arundel's top prosecutor has been removed from the trial of a doctor accused of killing his wife, the county's State's Attorney's Office may step away from the case completely.
    Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Execute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/execute. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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