as in to head
to cut off the head of a particularly gruesome series of murders in which the victims were decapitated

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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 decapitate The remains showed signs of severe injuries, and many had been decapitated. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025 The man, who archaeologists estimated was between 26 years and 35 years old, also appears to have been decapitated following his demise, which may have been part of a Roman burial ritual then. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025 Once there, Gress allegedly decapitated and dismembered Corsette's body while Brandes placed the remains in trash bags. Chris Spargo, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Two weeks after an unprovoked hatchet attack nearly decapitated a man sitting with his wife at a Tucson, Arizona, bus stop, the suspect has been charged with first-degree murder. Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decapitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decapitate
Verb
  • According to previous Idaho Statesman reporting, the vehicle drove westbound toward Boise before jumping the median and heading back toward Mountain Home.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2025
  • Jennifer Lorentz heads the Diversion Unit in the office of the St. Louis Circuit Attorney, the city’s chief prosecutor.
    Bram Sable-Smith, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • But would you rather be blasted by tiny pieces — which really hurts — or beheaded or stabbed in the heart by a large shard with tape dangling off of it?
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Men on electric scooters zoomed past a square where prisoners used to be beheaded, now a few blocks away from a gleaming new metro station.
    Vivian Nereim, New York Times, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decapitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decapitate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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