Avrättas

Avrättas is a Swedish verb meaning “to be executed” or “to execute” when used in the passive voice. It is the passive form of the verb avrätta, which denotes carrying out a death sentence or executing someone under legal authority. In contemporary Swedish, the death penalty is not practiced, so avrättas is primarily seen in historical reporting, international contexts, or academic discussion of capital punishment.

Grammatical notes: The present tense passive is avrättas, the past tense passive is avrättades, and the present perfect passive is avrättats. The infinitive passive uses the same form avrättas. The active equivalent is avrättar (he/she executes).

Usage and context: The phrase is commonly found in historical accounts or legal histories describing past practices. In modern Swedish, discussions of capital punishment usually refer to its abolition and use terms such as avrättelse (execution) or dödsstraff (death penalty) rather than describing current events.

Etymology: The verb stems from av- plus rätta, a root related to justice or setting things right. The combined form came to mean rendering someone dead under legal authority, i.e., carrying out a sentence of death.

See also: dödsstraff, avrättning, dödsdom.