Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of headsman
Several other leading figures of the period ended their days on the executioner’s block, including the unhappy Comte de Chalais, whose headsman bungled the job and ended up frantically chopping away at his screaming victim with a small hatchet.
—
David A. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2012
Even if your reality is the headsman’s block!
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2021
Two other men, subjects of excellent Holbein drawings in the show, would keep appointments with the headsman.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Once upon a time, the queen could have sent rebels to the Tower and the headsman’s block, even relatives—especially relatives.
—Matt Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2021
The British prime minister has assembled a trio of headsmen to sever Britain from the mainland.
—Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 22 Mar. 2017
David A. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2012
Even if your reality is the headsman’s block!
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2021
Two other men, subjects of excellent Holbein drawings in the show, would keep appointments with the headsman.
—Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
Once upon a time, the queen could have sent rebels to the Tower and the headsman’s block, even relatives—especially relatives.
—Matt Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 9 Mar. 2021
The British prime minister has assembled a trio of headsmen to sever Britain from the mainland.
—Vanityfair.com, VanityFair.com, 22 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headsman
Noun
-
One of the film’s episodes depicts a day in the life of an executioner.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
-
As many as a hundred and fifty thousand people disappeared, and presumably died at the hands of Assad’s torturers and executioners.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Did Erik Menendez really play hangman with Leslie Abramson in court?—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
27 Sep. 2024
-
The second story is about Eichmann’s prison guard, Haim (Yoav Levi), a Moroccan Jew who takes pains to make sure his charge is unharmed and delivered to the hangman’s noose in as good a shape as possible.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
28 June 2024
Noun
-
According to the Times, the new executors objected to the film after seeing a cut.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
-
An honor in Hialeah For Omer Pardillo Cid, executor of the Celia Cruz Estate and director of the Celia Cruz Foundation, the idea of linking the three centennials was truly inspiring.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Right Now The first reveal comes when Ally and Jay decide to fight Heart Eyes rather than flee when the masked murderer is killing people left and right at a drive-in movie theater.—
James Grebey,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Although the murderer was caught and confessed, the town’s economy still suffers.—
Sandra Dallas,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near headsman
Cite this Entry
“Headsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headsman. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share