executioner

noun

ex·​e·​cu·​tion·​er ˌek-si-ˈkyü-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce executioner (audio)
: one who executes
especially : one who puts to death

Examples of executioner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The executioners must have at least three years of medical experience and cannot have blood or legal relationships to either the prisoner, the prisoner's victims or their respective families. Kevin Fixler Idaho Statesman (tns), arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2024 None of the authors or executioners of this stupendous blunder have suffered professionally or lost political standing. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 The two parties agree, for example, that the president possesses the power to play prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner to kill any person anywhere on the planet based on secret, unreviewable speculation that the corpse could have become an imminent national security threat. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 Acting as judge, jury, and executioner on Article 3 of the 14th Amendment—a constitutional provision barring from office those who have engaged in insurrection—Bellows followed the example of the Colorado supreme court. Nr Editors, National Review, 5 Jan. 2024 Desbois himself turned up lurid details about the murders in German archives, including an account of a food vendor who accompanied the executioners and provided them with sandwiches and drinks during the killings. Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023 This week’s Liberal Media Scream is a five-screamer featuring an ABC host and former Clinton handler acting as judge, jury, and executioner of former President Donald Trump and his effort to remain on the 2024 primary ballots and let voters, not partisan state officials, decide his fate. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2024 Acting as judge, jury, and executioner regarding Article 3 of the 14th Amendment banning from office anyone who has engaged in an insurrection against the United State government, Bellows held a hearing for several hours a couple of weeks ago before deciding to prohibit Trump from running in Maine. The Editors, National Review, 30 Dec. 2023 The plan for the kurgan, which is constantly evolving, now calls for using 3D printers to fabricate thousands of two-inch-tall, individualized figurines of victims and their Nazi executioners to recreate scenes from the massacre and its aftermath. Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'executioner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of executioner was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near executioner

Cite this Entry

“Executioner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executioner. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

executioner

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion·​er ˌek-sə-ˈkyü-sh(ə-)nər How to pronounce executioner (audio)
: a person who carries out a sentence of death

Legal Definition

executioner

noun
ex·​e·​cu·​tion·​er ˌek-si-ˈkyü-shə-nər How to pronounce executioner (audio)
: one who puts another to death in fulfillment of a judicial death sentence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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