Synonyms of shank

shank

noun

ˈshaŋk 

slang

as in knife

an instrument with a metal length that has a sharp edge for cutting

slashed at the prison guard with a shank he had secretly made from a scrap of metal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• knife
• cutter
• blade
• shiv
• sword
• dagger
• bayonet
• steel
• stiletto
• cleaver
• bolo
• bodkin
• pocketknife
• bowie knife
• poniard
• stylet
• machete
• switchblade
• dirk
• sheath knife
• cutlass
• saber
• rapier
• hack
• scalpel
• yataghan
• jackknife
• switch knife

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shank

The Cook County Sheriff's office said Medina was caught with a shank in jail last week. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 June 2026

Those charges may also be upgraded as authorities say he was caught in jail with a six-inch shank. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

The Phase Evo includes a high-density comfort collar and a TPU shank for midfoot stability. — Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

The shank is a behemoth chunk of meat, marinated in about a pantry’s worth of spices including black cardamon, cinnamon, allspice, marjoram and cocoa powder. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026