impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpāl How to pronounce impale (audio)
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 noun
impaler noun

Examples of impale in a Sentence

impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Station 113 races to rescue the man impaled by the railing atop the water tower that was built in the late 1800s and was expanded to four stories in the 1890s to accommodate fire-fighting water tanks. Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025 Lucas and Simone had been tasked with holding and then removing a protruding piece of a forklift metal prong impaled in a construction worker’s abdomen. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 The videos, which were shared online, showed baby monkeys being crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled and mutilated. Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025 Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD. Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impale

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of impale was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impale. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

impale

verb
im·​pale im-ˈpā(ə)l How to pronounce impale (audio)
impaled; impaling
: to pierce with or as if with something pointed
impalement noun
impaler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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