Electrocute
verb
To kill or seriously injure someone by passing electricity through their body.
He was nearly electrocuted when he touched the live wire.
Often appears as...
- nearly electrocuted
- accidentally electrocuted
verb
To execute someone by electricity, as in an electric chair.
He was sentenced to death and electrocuted in the electric chair.
Often appears as...
- electrocuted in the electric chair
- sentenced to be electrocuted
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To kill or seriously injure someone by passing electricity through their body.
He was nearly electrocuted when he touched the live wire.
Often appears as...
- nearly electrocuted
- accidentally electrocuted
verb
To execute someone by electricity, as in an electric chair.
He was sentenced to death and electrocuted in the electric chair.
Often appears as...
- electrocuted in the electric chair
- sentenced to be electrocuted
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Matters
The word 'electrocute' is usually used when the shock is severe, not for minor shocks.
A minor shock from static electricity isn’t being electrocuted.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
'Electrocute' suggests serious injury or death, avoid using it for small accidents.
Don't say someone was electrocuted if they just got a slight buzz.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Implication
Often implies the electrocution was an accident, not intentional harm.
He was electrocuted by a faulty appliance.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Matters
The word 'electrocute' is usually used when the shock is severe, not for minor shocks.
A minor shock from static electricity isn’t being electrocuted.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
'Electrocute' suggests serious injury or death, avoid using it for small accidents.
Don't say someone was electrocuted if they just got a slight buzz.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Implication
Often implies the electrocution was an accident, not intentional harm.
He was electrocuted by a faulty appliance.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Matters
The word 'electrocute' is usually used when the shock is severe, not for minor shocks.
A minor shock from static electricity isn’t being electrocuted.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Consequences
'Electrocute' suggests serious injury or death, avoid using it for small accidents.
Don't say someone was electrocuted if they just got a slight buzz.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Implication
Often implies the electrocution was an accident, not intentional harm.
He was electrocuted by a faulty appliance.
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Video examples
The psychology of evil PIPE...
He said, "Yeah, but suppose Hitler asked you, 'Would you electrocute a stranger?' 'No way, I'm a good person.'" He said, "Why don't we put you in a situation and give you a chance to see what you would do?" And so what he did was he tested 1,000 ordinary people.
Video examples
How do fish make...
There is one mystery in the world of electric why don't they electrocute themselves? It may be that the size of strongly electric fish allows them to withstand their own shocks, or that the current passes out of their bodies too quickly.
Video examples
The psychology of evil PIPE...
He said, "Yeah, but suppose Hitler asked you, 'Would you electrocute a stranger?' 'No way, I'm a good person.'" He said, "Why don't we put you in a situation and give you a chance to see what you would do?" And so what he did was he tested 1,000 ordinary people.
Video examples
How do fish make...
There is one mystery in the world of electric why don't they electrocute themselves? It may be that the size of strongly electric fish allows them to withstand their own shocks, or that the current passes out of their bodies too quickly.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
William F. Buckley, Jr.
American Journalist
I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word 'fair' in connection with income tax policies.
Quote examples
William F. Buckley, Jr.
American Journalist
I would like to electrocute everyone who uses the word 'fair' in connection with income tax policies.
Example 1 of 1
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