a summary execution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a summary execution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing legal matters, military actions, or human rights violations where a person is executed without a fair trial. Example: "The report highlighted the alarming rise in cases of summary execution in conflict zones, raising concerns about human rights abuses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The crowd appeals for a summary execution of him and another random Dortmund player.

The New York Times

The filing also said there was no chance of an imminent trial, let alone a "summary execution".

The New York Times

However it does clearly show a summary execution and torture, apparently being carried out by government supporters.

Independent

Anna Lindh, the Swedish foreign minister, declared that the American military attack, even with Yemeni approval, "is nevertheless a summary execution that violates human rights".

The New Yorker

There's his father who is forced to go on the run after narrowly surviving a summary execution; and a series of rapes, lashings and force-feeding inflicted on his family members.

The Guardian - Film

The lawyer, Ben Emmerson, sent urgent letters on Thursday urging the British government and the judges of the International Criminal Court to intervene and prevent what he called a summary execution of his client, Abdullah al-Senussi.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Famous images from Vietnam depict a disillusioned soldier, the summary execution of a Viet Cong suspect, a young girl running in terror from a napalm attack.

Forbes

For 12 hours a day she is an all-seeing, god-like eye on the undercarriage of a drone, ever poised to press a button and deliver summary execution to those spotted below.

The Guardian

The proverbial "Jeddart justice," according to which a man was hanged first and tried afterward, seems to have been a hasty generalization from the solitary summary execution of a gang of rogues.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The order barring satellite phones appeared to be part of a Taliban hunt for "spies" helping to prepare an American attack, a concern so much on the mind of the movement's leading clerics that they provided an Islamic justification for summary execution of any suspect in a religious decree, or fatwa, that they issued last week.

The New York Times

Incidentally, I know of no previous attempt to film Sterne's novel, though there's an arresting scene in Arthur Penn's western The Missouri Breaks when a rich Montana rancher, acting like a brutal 18th-century squire, returns from the summary execution of a rustler.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a summary execution", ensure the context clearly indicates the absence of a fair legal trial or due process. This phrase carries significant legal and ethical implications.

Common error

Avoid using "a summary execution" to merely describe a fast or efficient execution process. The key aspect is the lack of due process and a fair trial, not just the speed of the execution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a summary execution" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It describes a specific type of action. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a summary execution" refers to an execution carried out without due legal process. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and commonly used in neutral to formal contexts, especially in news and media reporting on human rights violations and legal issues. Related terms include "extrajudicial killing" and "unlawful killing". When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the absence of a fair trial, and avoid misinterpreting it as merely a "quick" execution. It is important to maintain accuracy, since using this phrase implies legal and ethical ramifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extrajudicial killing

Focuses on the lack of legal due process in the killing.

unlawful killing

Emphasizes the illegality of the act, regardless of the process.

arbitrary execution

Highlights the randomness and lack of justification in the execution.

immediate execution

Focuses on the speed and lack of delay in carrying out the execution.

instant execution

Similar to immediate execution, emphasizing the lack of delay.

on-the-spot execution

Highlights that the execution happened at the location where the person was apprehended or judged.

execution without trial

Explicitly states the absence of a judicial process.

kangaroo court execution

Implies a mock trial with a predetermined guilty verdict.

state-sanctioned killing

Suggests the execution was authorized or carried out by the government.

preemptive killing

Indicates the killing was done to prevent a perceived future threat.

FAQs

What does "a summary execution" mean?

"A summary execution" refers to an execution carried out without the benefit of a full and fair trial, often implying a violation of legal and human rights.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a summary execution"?

Use "a summary execution" when describing situations where an individual is put to death without proper legal proceedings or due process. It's often associated with human rights abuses and wartime atrocities.

What are some alternatives to "a summary execution"?

You can use alternatives such as "extrajudicial killing", "unlawful killing", or "arbitrary execution" depending on the specific context.

Is "a summary execution" the same as "capital punishment"?

No, "a summary execution" is not the same as capital punishment. Capital punishment is a legal sentence carried out after a fair trial, while "a summary execution" bypasses the legal process.