as in to sever
medical
to remove (part of a person's body)
His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.
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Recent Examples of amputate
Based on a cult comic by Greg Rucka and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the film followed a group of mercenaries who had the gift of immortality — they could be stabbed and amputated and maimed and mangled and burnt while fighting and still miraculously come back.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 July 2025
In the meantime, the wound must be treated; in severe cases, the limb must be amputated.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The goal is to boost the value of the high-growth streaming and studio biz by amputating the declining TV arm that has been hurt by the shrinking pay-TV universe, while freeing up both companies to seek potentially value-accretive M&A deals.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 June 2025
An adolescent loggerhead sea turtle named Dilly Dally crawled into the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday morning, months after having a front flipper amputated at a Florida turtle hospital.
—CBS News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for amputate
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 July 2025
In the meantime, the wound must be treated; in severe cases, the limb must be amputated.
—David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The goal is to boost the value of the high-growth streaming and studio biz by amputating the declining TV arm that has been hurt by the shrinking pay-TV universe, while freeing up both companies to seek potentially value-accretive M&A deals.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 June 2025
An adolescent loggerhead sea turtle named Dilly Dally crawled into the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday morning, months after having a front flipper amputated at a Florida turtle hospital.
—CBS News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for amputate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amputate
Verb
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This immediately severs the contractual and salary arrangement between the league and Duong, reportedly worth between $250k and $300k per year (depending on your source).—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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On June 11, a 9-year-old girl snorkeling off the coast of Boca Grande, Florida, on the state's Gulf Coast, sustained a gruesome shark bite that nearly severed her hand.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Squirrels love to yank new plants out of the ground.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
11 July 2025
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Rivera fired his Taser at Feliz, then got into the car on the passenger’s side and threatened to shoot Rivera as a physical struggle ensued, according to body camera footage, as another officer attempted to yank Feliz out of the vehicle.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amputate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amputate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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