impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpāl 

impaled; impaling

transitive verb

1

a

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

especially : to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake

b

: to fix in an inescapable or helpless position

2

: to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield divided vertically by a pale

impalement

im-ˈpāl-mənt 

noun

impaler

im-ˈpā-lər 

noun

Synonyms

• stab
• pierce
• puncture
• pick
• stick
• jab

Examples of impale in a Sentence

impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting

Recent Examples on the Web

And this slasher Santa Claus doesn't mess around, using an axe and a shotgun with deadly intention and also down for impaling people on deer antlers. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 July 2025

It was not known what caused the umbrella to impale the lifeguard, but Keddy recommended making sure umbrella stakes are securely placed in the sand. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

Those insects were armed with scythe-like jaws that researchers suspect the ant deployed to pin down or impale its prey. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

In October, a surfer was killed after being impaled by either a needlefish or a swordfish – another species of fish that can leap out of the water and cause puncture wounds – off Indonesia's West Sumatra coast. —Dan Radel, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French empaler, from Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- + palus stake — more at pole

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for impale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpā(ə)l 

impaled; impaling

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

impalement

-mənt 

noun

impaler

-ər 

noun