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
Kitchen utensils hung from a harpoon for catching octopus, and a wicker basket of swim fins sat expectantly by the open door. — Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2026 There are several different types, including scissors-style and harpoon style. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 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
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 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
  • More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • Advertisement When Little Death’s spear breaks the water, Kris, a director suddenly inside the picture, asks what should happen next.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to practicing at home with a spear to get the slasher movements just right, Haven would also send Schoenbrun videos with different Little Death walk options.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • Under Booster Seats Booster seats can dig into leather car seats and puncture the material over time.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 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
  • That’s partly the result of actions by Curtis, like taking customer’s phone calls and jabbing at a competitor on social media.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • The pipes and pumps connect 210 snow cannons and 50 snow lances in the Adelboden-Lenk area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Fer-de-lance Fer-de-lance is a common name applied to highly dangerous pit vipers in the Bothrops genus, particularly in Central and South America.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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