skewer

1 of 2

noun

skew·​er ˈskyü-ər How to pronounce skewer (audio)
ˈskyu̇r
1
: a pin of wood or metal for fastening meat to keep it in form while roasting or to hold small pieces of meat or vegetables for broiling
2
: any of various things shaped or used like a meat skewer

skewer

2 of 2

verb

skewered; skewering; skewers

transitive verb

1
: to fasten or pierce with or as if with a skewer
2
: to criticize or ridicule sharply and effectively

Examples of skewer in a Sentence

Verb let's skewer our marshmallows on these sticks and start toasting the satirical comic strip gleefully skewers many of society's sacred cows
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Photos of the drink, posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo by the Shanghai Starbucks Reserve Roastery, show a drizzle of dark red sauce atop the latte foam — with a square slice of pork on a skewer resting on the mug rim. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Order the restaurant’s signature dry, 5-finger Martini, a delicious concoction made with two kinds of sherry and blanc vermouth, garnished with three plump olives on a thin skewer. Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 When favorable conditions allow Sakara’s marina platform to be open, guests are served cocktails and fruit skewers while enjoying a variety of water sports equipment. David Dickstein, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024 If using wood or bamboo skewers, soak in water at least 10 minutes. Ian Knauer, WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024 Check the doneness by poking the tip of a sharp knife or metal skewer into thickest part of the leg and using a spoon to collect the juice. The Editors, Field & Stream, 23 Nov. 2023 The Shirley Temple came in a highball glass topped with a skewer of three velvety Luxardo cherries. Rax King, Bon Appétit, 26 Feb. 2024 Garnish with pickle slices on a skewer, or slice and slide onto rim of glass. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Find delicious and healthy recipes like chicken skewers with a peanut sauce, and a bacon and egg cauliflower hash that will keep you on track with your diet without compromising taste. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024
Verb
Many viewers also criticized its messaging about class politics, failing to adequately skewer the upper classes while depicting scholarship kid Oliver as a vampiric con artist. Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 After positive financial reports from America’s two big Navy shipbuilders, U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro short-circuited the celebratory mood at West 2024, the Navy’s premier West Coast business convention, skewering key industry stakeholders. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Most Versatile Cheese: Boursin Bites Garlic & Fine Herbs Pop a few pearls into hot pasta to make an effortless creamy sauce or skewer them for on-demand apps. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 Oliver is one of the many late-night hosts using their spotlight to skewer the high court and America’s political landscape. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Related Stories Johnson escapes most of the criticism, but everything else is getting skewered as the latest example of superhero movie fatigue meeting a genuinely disappointing film. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 Biden’s media strategy has renewed such questions, with critics skewering him for keeping an arm’s length from the establishment press. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 That’s not a surprise, considering the $200 million movie has been largely skewered by critics and is only expected to earn $15 million to $20 million in its domestic opening. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024 Since taking office, Porter has helped pass legislation aimed at lowering drug prices and has used her committee assignments to loudly skewer Trump administration appointees and corporate executives. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skewer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skeuier

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skewer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near skewer

Cite this Entry

“Skewer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skewer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skewer

1 of 2 noun
skew·​er ˈskyü-ər How to pronounce skewer (audio)
ˈskyu̇(-ə)r
1
: a long pin for keeping meat in form while roasting or for holding small pieces of meat and vegetables for broiling
2
: something shaped or used like a meat skewer

skewer

2 of 2 verb
: to fasten or pierce with or as if with a skewer

More from Merriam-Webster on skewer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!