Thesaurus results for CLEAVER

cleaver

noun

Definition of cleaver

as in knife

a heavy implement with a wide sharp blade used for cutting up large pieces of meat

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of cleaver The Los Angeles Times reported that Sharp is the son of Calvin Sharp, who pleaded guilty to the 2007 killing of a 6-year-old boy with a meat cleaver. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 Critics say the law attempts to do this carving with a cleaver. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026 The Ronald Reagan Building, added in 1998, looks a bit like a stumpy meat cleaver. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2026 No need to bust out the cleaver. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleaver

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaver

Noun

That case focused mostly on the details of the knife attack itself; the federal one delves more into questions of motive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Greek media reported the suspect had been brandishing a knife and threatening people before the attack, prompting a bystander to call police.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of knife

Noun

The 14-story neo-Gothic structure (nicknamed the Jewelers Building) once housed five floors alone of diamond cutters, goldsmiths, and other jewelers, with the rest of the building dedicated to other places for wealthy Detroiters to splurge.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
Highly integrated, the company’s teams range from leather artisans and pattern cutters to engineers, architects and retail staff.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Definition of cutter

Noun

Ballout was suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival Saturday night before apparently stabbing others with a machete in what authorities believe was an Islamic extremist terror attack.

— Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Nagamallaiah ran toward the motel office while Cobos-Martinez chased after him with the machete, police have said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of machete

Noun

The dagger goal with which Gotham FC sunk the record-breaking KC Current in 2025 was out of the second phase of a set piece.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
The delivery apps offer discovery and delivery for their 15% to 30% cut—a useful (if brutally expensive) tool for a family-run shop and a dagger to the pizza chains who once stood out by offering those services in-house.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of dagger

Browse Nearby Words

cleaved (to)

cleaver

cleavers

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cleaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaver. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cleaver

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on cleaver

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

highfalutin

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes