spear phishing

noun

variants or less commonly spear-phishing

ˈspir-ˌfi-shiŋ 

: a targeted attempt to trick a specific person into revealing personal or confidential information that can then be used illicitly

In spear phishing, hackers first identify a target. Unlike basic phishing, which casts a wide net, spear phishing focuses on a specific person or group.

—eMazzanti Technologies

The hyper-personalized emails known as spear-phishing can use information from your LinkedIn profile, including your connections.

—Leslie Collins

spear-phishing emails

Examples of spear phishing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As typical in many data breaches and other cyberattacks, the accounts are compromised through social engineering and spear phishing. —Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 1 Jan. 2026

In some cases, like spear phishing attacks, where a person or group is being specifically targeted, that’s the whole point. —PC Magazine, 14 Nov. 2025

The malicious version came through a spear phishing email sent to the developers Google listed for the Cyberhaven extension on Christmas Eve. —Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025

More travelers mean an influx of personal data to protect from identity theft, resale and spear phishing. —Kevin Pierce, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

respelling of spearfishing (gerund of spearfish entry 2), after phishing

First Known Use

2004, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spear phishing

• dishing
• fishing
• swishing
• wishing
• overfishing