fusilar
“fusilar” means “to execute by firing squad” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to execute by firing squad
Also: to shoot
📝 In Action
El prisionero fue fusilado al amanecer.
B2The prisoner was executed by firing squad at dawn.
Muchos soldados murieron fusilados durante la guerra.
B2Many soldiers were shot during the war.
La ley prohibía fusilar a los civiles.
C1The law prohibited executing civilians by firing squad.
to plagiarize, to rip off
Also: to copy
📝 In Action
Ese autor fusiló todo el capítulo de un libro francés.
C1That author ripped off the entire chapter from a French book.
No puedes fusilar el diseño de mi página web.
B2You can't just copy the design of my website.
Se nota que has fusilado las respuestas del examen.
B2It's obvious you've copied the answers for the exam.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: fusilar
Question 1 of 3
If a historian says a general was 'fusilado', what happened?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Spanish noun 'fusil' (rifle/musket), which comes from the Italian 'focile' (flint used to strike fire).
First recorded: 18th century (coinciding with more modern firearms).
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'fusilar' the same as 'matar'?
'Matar' is the general word for 'to kill'. 'Fusilar' is a specific method of killing: execution by firing squad.
Can I use 'fusilar' for copying a movie?
Yes, if a movie's plot is a direct rip-off of another, you can say 'fusilaron la trama' (they ripped off the plot).
Does 'fusilar' have irregular forms?
No, it follows the perfectly regular pattern of '-ar' verbs like 'hablar' or 'cantar'.

