decapitated

IPA/dɪˈkæp.ɪ.teɪt/
KK[dikˈæpətˌetɪd]IPA/dɪˈkæp.ə.teɪt/

decapitated — verb

  • decapitatedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • decapitateds3rd person singular
  • decapitateding-ing form
  • decapitatededpast simple

1. to kill someone by cutting off their head, either as a formal method of executio

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to kill someone by cutting off their head, either as a formal method of execution, as an act of violence, or through a violent accident

例句

During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI was decapitated by guillotine in 1793.

passive: be decapitated by [method]

The driver was decapitated instantly when the steel cable snapped across the highway.

passive: was decapitated (accident context)

同義詞
  • behead

    more common in everyday language; often used for formal executions in historical contexts

  • guillotine

    refers specifically to execution using a guillotine, a machine with a heavy blade

文法句型

be decapitated [by someone/something]

get decapitated

decapitate + direct object

用法筆記

Usually appears in passive constructions (was/were decapitated) because the focus is on the victim rather than the person who performs the act. Can also function as an adjective before a noun (a decapitated body).

常見錯誤

❌The king decapitated.' (missing auxiliary verb).
✅The king was decapitated.
💡The passive form requires 'was' or 'were' before the past participle.
❌He decapitated his head.' (redundant).
✅He was decapitated.
💡The meaning already includes the head; adding 'his head' is unnecessary.

2. to remove the top leaders or key decision-makers of an organization, a governmen

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to remove the top leaders or key decision-makers of an organization, a government, or a criminal group so that it can no longer operate effectively

例句

The rebel alliance aimed to decapitate the regime by capturing the president and his cabinet.

active: decapitate + organization/regime

The drug cartel was decapitated when agents arrested its top five leaders in one raid.

passive: organization was decapitated

同義詞
  • paralyze

    broader meaning — can refer to stopping any function, not just leadership; often used when discussing strikes or blockades

  • cripple

    informal; suggests severe damage to an organization's ability to function, not necessarily by removing leaders

文法句型

be decapitated by [event/action]

decapitate + organization

用法筆記

Always refers to removing leadership, not killing everyone — the organization itself may survive with new leaders. Common in news reports about military strategy (decapitation strike) or law enforcement operations against criminal networks.

常見錯誤

❌The company was decapitated when its office burned down.' (wrong context).
✅The company was decapitated when the CEO and all vice presidents resigned.
💡The word refers specifically to loss of leadership, not physical damage.