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

Examples 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 West Allis Police Department and the FBI executed a search of Burkee's home on Nov. 9 On the morning of Nov. 9, West Allis police and the FBI, having obtained a warrant, conducted a search of Burkee's home in West Allis. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 15 Nov. 2024 Management believes no additional capital will be needed to execute its business plan over the next 12 months. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Establish everyone’s goals ahead time so no one is disappointed. … and Find Out Their Worries In my experience, the top two concerns of new deer hunters are executing a quick, clean kill, and managing nerves around — or an outright fear of — handling firearms. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2024 NuScale executed a revenue generating agreement with Fluor (FLR) for engineering and design services for a nuclear power project. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for execute 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for execute
Verb
  • The security agents who enforce hijab laws, informally called morality police, have recently started easing public confrontations with women over the headscarves, following the election of reformist president Masoud Pezeshkian who campaigned on opposing these police patrols.
    Hannah Peart, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division enforces a number of statutes protecting the right to vote.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Students from College of Adaptive Arts will sing the opening National Anthem and perform a special cheer routine during the game.
    Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Latin music icon Marc Anthony performed and executive produced a special segment with salsa great Sergio George to pay homage to the tropical music genre.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Musawi was the Party’s second secretary-general, until he was assassinated by Israel, in 1992.
    Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Last week, an Iranian asset was charged with attempting to assassinate President-elect Trump.
    Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Of course, all U.S. policies, such as advancing democratic values and negotiating investment deals, become much more difficult to implement if U.S. diplomatic offices sit vacant.
    Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Assuming it's implemented properly, AES-256 is currently considered essentially unbreakable.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Portrait of an Indigenous Womxn [Removed] commemorated murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.
    Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The onetime president pretended to be murdered in a 1963 homemade spy movie.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Listen to this article Merrillville man acquitted in Gary drug deal slaying Michael Baker was acquitted Friday in the Jan. 21, 2023 murder of Demetri Russell, 29.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2024
  • The sleepy spot actually holds a chilling history dating back to 1912, when two adults, Josiah and Sarah Moore, and six children were brutally slain in what is now known as the Villisca Ax Murder House.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • These apps arguably help fulfill a dire need for connection.
    Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024
  • All children deserve a chance to fulfill their potential.
    Emily Harvey, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Finally, as is obvious to most observers, Israel cannot kill its way out of the threat posed by Hamas and other armed Palestinian factions.
    John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
  • The version of the virus detected in San Mateo County lies at the center of an outbreak that has killed more than 1,000 people this year in Central and Eastern Africa, with most of those cases being in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
    Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near execute

Cite this Entry

“Execute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/execute. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on execute

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