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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harpoon
Erin Clack, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Reynolds claimed to have met the first mate of a whale ship who battled the great one with a darting harpoon and hundreds of feet of 3/4-inch line flying from the rope tub.
—Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Ali reportedly tried to use a handheld harpoon while trying to access the apartment through the house’s front door before trying to break a window and smash his way inside.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Lovely used two harpoons and cleaned the shark in the water.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harpoon
Noun
The sport involves using a sharp-pointed tool such as a harpoon, spear or gig to impale a fish's body.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Reynolds claimed to have met the first mate of a whale ship who battled the great one with a darting harpoon and hundreds of feet of 3/4-inch line flying from the rope tub.
—Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Ali reportedly tried to use a handheld harpoon while trying to access the apartment through the house’s front door before trying to break a window and smash his way inside.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Lovely used two harpoons and cleaned the shark in the water.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harpoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harpoon
Verb
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Since joining the universe in 2022, Chad has survived brutal attacks by Ghostface, including one particularly awful stabbing sequence in Scream VI, but the Final Boy lives on.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Michelle Adams, 39, was stabbed to death and three women, ages 36, 37 and 40, were wounded.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Grasping hands reach out in despair, deities wield tridents and divine lotus flowers symbolize the 16 levels of Brahma (higher realms).—
Vicky Smith,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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As the fates would have it, Diemer has had a lifelong obsession with Poseidon, as evidenced by his prominent trident necklace, the iconic emblem and weapon of the sea god.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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They were pinched, prodded, cut, shocked, pierced with needles, struck with canes, and burned with acid.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Liu’s story about piercing herself with a needle and a mirror may sound casual, but self-piercing in the mouth carries additional infection risk given the bacteria the ADA describes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For the ideal filling, use medium-sized asparagus spears.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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For most of the season, the spears pointed outward.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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A couple of people pulled out knives and slipped over to puncture leather hoses pumping water to put out the fire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those Swiss guards would take that halberd and just take you down.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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The retainer then struck her down with a halberd, set the mansion ablaze, and committed seppuku.—
Nicholas Liu,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2024
Verb
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In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Where Volkanovski is clearly better is at distance, using his technique to kick at Lopes and jab him.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Their sizes range from 4 inches to 4 feet tall, and their heart- and lance-shaped leaves can be smooth, wavy, or variegated.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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Warhorses charge, lances down, crashing through the tilts as lances break on shields and men topple from their steeds.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harpoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harpoon. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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