Decapitate
verb
To cut off the head of a person or animal.
In the past, criminals were often decapitated as a form of punishment.
Often appears as...
- decapitated by the executioner
- decapitate the chicken
verb
Remove the upper part of something, especially a plant.
During the pruning process, workers decapitate the plants to encourage bushy growth.
Often appears as...
- decapitate the plant
- decapitate during pruning
verb
To remove the leader or most important part of a group or plan.
With the CEO arrested, the company has been effectively decapitated.
Often appears as...
- decapitate the organization
- decapitate the team
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To cut off the head of a person or animal.
In the past, criminals were often decapitated as a form of punishment.
Often appears as...
- decapitated by the executioner
- decapitate the chicken
verb
Remove the upper part of something, especially a plant.
During the pruning process, workers decapitate the plants to encourage bushy growth.
Often appears as...
- decapitate the plant
- decapitate during pruning
verb
To remove the leader or most important part of a group or plan.
With the CEO arrested, the company has been effectively decapitated.
Often appears as...
- decapitate the organization
- decapitate the team
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Violent Act
The term is often associated with violent historical methods of punishment.
Medieval tales often describe knights being decapitated in battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Shocking Imagery
The word evokes strong, gory images; use it carefully to avoid distress.
The horror movie depicted a villain decapitating his foes.
Pro Tip 3/3Rarely Literal
Today, it's more common in figurative language, except in specific contexts.
The novel metaphorically described the king's fall as a decapitation.
Pro Tip 1/3Violent Act
The term is often associated with violent historical methods of punishment.
Medieval tales often describe knights being decapitated in battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Shocking Imagery
The word evokes strong, gory images; use it carefully to avoid distress.
The horror movie depicted a villain decapitating his foes.
Pro Tip 3/3Rarely Literal
Today, it's more common in figurative language, except in specific contexts.
The novel metaphorically described the king's fall as a decapitation.
Pro Tip 1/3Violent Act
The term is often associated with violent historical methods of punishment.
Medieval tales often describe knights being decapitated in battle.
Pro Tip 2/3Shocking Imagery
The word evokes strong, gory images; use it carefully to avoid distress.
The horror movie depicted a villain decapitating his foes.
Pro Tip 3/3Rarely Literal
Today, it's more common in figurative language, except in specific contexts.
The novel metaphorically described the king's fall as a decapitation.
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 348 PIPE...
one last sort of view he's lying down now on the mound and I think he's happy to sit there I'm just gonna make sure I don't like I say decapitate myself or sins oh as we make our way through this area's looking as regal as one could ever imagine look at that isn't that
Video examples
Chris Kluwe: How...
your blood pounding in your ears. You can get a sense of what it's like to have a 250-pound man sprinting at you trying to decapitate you with every ounce of his being. And I've been on the receiving end of that, and it doesn't feel very good.
Video examples
Praying Mantis...
decapitation the eggs and pupae are taken into the new nest here they're safe the millions of
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 348 PIPE...
one last sort of view he's lying down now on the mound and I think he's happy to sit there I'm just gonna make sure I don't like I say decapitate myself or sins oh as we make our way through this area's looking as regal as one could ever imagine look at that isn't that
Video examples
Chris Kluwe: How...
your blood pounding in your ears. You can get a sense of what it's like to have a 250-pound man sprinting at you trying to decapitate you with every ounce of his being. And I've been on the receiving end of that, and it doesn't feel very good.
Video examples
Praying Mantis...
decapitation the eggs and pupae are taken into the new nest here they're safe the millions of
Example 1 of 3
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