executed
executed — verb
- executedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- executeds3rd person singular
- executeding-ing form
- executededpast simple
1. to kill a person as punishment ordered by a court of law after they have been fo
to kill a person as punishment ordered by a court of law after they have been found guilty of a serious crime such as murder
The prisoner was executed at dawn despite last-minute appeals from human rights groups.
passive: be executed + time/place detail
In some countries, the court can still execute people convicted of drug trafficking.
active: execute + person + crime context
Mira's research paper examined whether executing criminals actually reduces violent crime rates.
If the governor does not grant clemency, the condemned man will be executed next week.
- put to death
a more neutral, factual alternative often used in formal legal writing
- sentence to death
refers to the court's decision rather than the carrying out of the punishment
文法句型
be executed
execute + person
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice (be executed), especially when the focus is on the person receiving the punishment rather than the authority carrying it out.
常見錯誤
2. to carry out a task, plan, or instruction thoroughly and according to what was i
to carry out a task, plan, or instruction thoroughly and according to what was intended, especially when the result matters for a larger goal
The marketing team executed their campaign perfectly and sales increased by forty percent.
execute + plan/campaign + result clause
Benjamin executed the software update without any errors during the night shift.
Naoko carefully executed each step of the recipe, measuring every ingredient twice.
The soldiers executed their orders with speed and discipline despite the difficult terrain.
A well-written business plan means nothing if the team cannot execute it properly.
- carry out
less formal and more common in everyday speech
- perform
slightly more general; can apply to both planned and unplanned actions
- implement
more formal; focuses on putting a decision or plan into effect
- accomplish
emphasises successful completion of a goal
文法句型
execute + plan/strategy/task
execute + order/command
用法筆記
The direct object is typically a plan, strategy, task, order, or instruction — something that requires deliberate effort to complete. Unlike 'do' or 'perform', 'execute' implies carrying something out to completion with skill or precision.
常見錯誤
3. to follow the instructions written in a dead person's will, distributing their m
to follow the instructions written in a dead person's will, distributing their money and property to the people named in the document
The lawyer executed the will, leaving the house to the granddaughter and cash to charity.
execute + will + distribution of property
Faisal will execute his uncle's will according to the terms written five years ago.
The court appointed a trustee to execute the will after the original executor fell ill.
The family watched as the solicitor executed the will and read out each bequest.
- administer
more general term used for managing someone's estate beyond just the will
- carry out a will
less formal alternative, more common in everyday speech
文法句型
execute + will
execute + someone's will
用法筆記
In modern legal practice, the person who carries out a will is called the 'executor' (masculine/neutral) or 'executrix' (feminine). 'Execute the will' is the formal action this person performs. This sense is almost exclusively used in legal and inheritance contexts.