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
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
Giannis off Heat table The harpoon might have been sharpened, and there, at least for a brief period, was a whale to chase. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 Scientists have confirmed the observation by examining proteins in the eye lenses of the whales and dating harpoons embedded in the flesh of these animals. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Nov. 2025 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
  • An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested after five people were stabbed early Saturday morning in Old Sacramento, police said.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • About ten minutes later, Morales Moshe stabbed Yezhak Grunhaus in the chest with a screwdriver outside The Jewish Center, a prominent Upper West Side synagogue, on Amsterdam Ave.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • The club's name is a reference to the trident, Ukraine's national symbol.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 25 June 2026
  • The Kings’ success will rest in how well Los Angeles adapts to Laviolette’s coaching trident.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of trident
Verb
  • According to the artist who made it, John Buckley, and the owner of the home pierced by the shark, Bill Heine, the work was meant as a protest against the recent bombing of Libya, nuclear power and nuclear war, among other things.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Much of the campaign focused on educating beachgoers about the presence of the quirky birds known for their piercing calls and habit of using their razor sharp bills to crack open oysters and mussels.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • After neutralizing Tozawa, Breakker hit another super spear on Otis with Maxxine looking on from the top rope.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Their ability to absorb the energy of colliding cars—forcing rails to curl up, rather than spear—is the result of decades of clever engineering.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • As the spacecraft closed in, the video follows Mars steadily expanding to reveal numerous craters puncturing its surface, the ancient double-ringed Huygens crater and the south polar ice cap before receding in the spacecraft's rearview.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 22 July 2026
  • More broadly, Iran’s attacks have also punctured confidence and security in the Gulf, disrupting tourism and air travel in a key global transport node, and prompting some expats to flee.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 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
  • Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu jabbed back against the prevailing narrative yesterday, saying she was never invited to participate in the WNBA’s 3-point contest this weekend.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Michigan Dem hopeful Abdul El-Sayed jabs CNN giving him 'non-consensual colonoscopy' in recent interviews.
    — , FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Bottom cleaners use lances to scrape biofoul off hulls.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Um dos lances mais bonitos da nossa história.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of lance

Browse Nearby Words

harp (on)
harpoon
harpooned
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Cite this Entry

“Harpoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harpoon. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harpoon

Nglish: Translation of harpoon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harpoon

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