Standard Lemma guide

kneecapping

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The act of injuring the knees of (a person), usually by shooting at the knees; often a punishment carried out by criminals or terrorists.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, gerund, uncountable

Examples

  • The mafiosi punished the informer by giving him a kneecapping.
  • Five kneecappings have been reported this month.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An excessively and needlessly damaging attack or disparagement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, countable, figuratively, gerund, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

present participle and gerund of kneecap

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.