harpoon 1 of 2

verb

Definition of harpoonnext
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object she deftly harpooned a shrimp with her skewer and held it over the fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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harpoon

2 of 2

noun

as in trident

Related Words

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 harpoon
Verb
With spotters overlooking the fjords and communicating from land, fishers set fires in canoes to lure tuna close enough to harpoon. — Torben Rick, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 The chaos allows a Triarchy ship to harpoon Jace's dragon, Vermax, dragging the flailing creature down into the ocean, along with Rhaenyra's heir. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
Noun
Jason then comes up with an elaborate plan to capture one of the creatures using a harpoon. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 Shop owner John Sylvia is sticking to his guns, or antique whaling harpoon cannons. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for harpoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harpoon
  1. stab
  2. trident
  3. pierce
  4. spear
  5. puncture
  6. halberd
  7. jab
  8. lance
Verb
  • Their race started off heated again in 2026, with the campaigns trading claims over Bradley’s position on the legislation named for the Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail in 2025.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On the night of March 31, 2025, Arriaga Guerrero fatally stabbed Erma Adeyemo-Azeez at her apartment complex in the 2600 block of Whisper Meadow Lane in Arlington.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Begin at the Fountain of Neptune, whose trident inspired the emblem Mario Maserati designed for the company, first used in 1926.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Hermann and Hargitay were Zeus and Hera, naturally, while their kids appeared to be Poseidon (with the trident), Ares and Apollo.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of trident
Verb
  • Accumulation of food debris observed on the piercing part of can opener.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bauer, who was working in uniform, was shot twice — with one of the bullets piercing his heart — during a robbery at Kislak National Bank, 13490 NW Seventh Ave.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • The standard dressing at the 51-year-old stand consists of mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spears, and celery salt, and adds lettuce, green peppers, and cucumber slices (hot peppers are available on request).
    — Amy Cavanaugh, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lakshmana is left gravely wounded after a second spear attack by Ravana.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • Be careful not to puncture holes through the plastic or meat.
    — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • This is punctured by a wailing refrain from Lyons, whose runs serve as a continual anchor to the jazz tradition throughout his time with Taylor.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of puncture
Noun
  • Those Swiss guards would take that halberd and just take you down.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
  • During different events, the guards will add white gloves, a black helmet and/or the halberd.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of halberd
Verb
  • The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rainbow continued to jab the secretary of health as his primary opposition throughout the parody of the Frank Loesser song.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Additionally, objects of cultural patrimony such as five pairs of moccasins, one coupstick, one Cheyenne cradle board and one lance were returned in the ceremony.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of lance

Browse Nearby Words

harp (on)
harpoon
harpooned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harpoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harpoon. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harpoon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harpoon

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