as in stabbing
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harpooning
Verb
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Jones, of Joliet, said his testimony helped convict Joseph Czuba, a Plainfield landlord who was found guilty last year in the stabbing death of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian American boy who was targeted because of his race and religion.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026 -
Three of the stabbing victims were dead at the scene and another died while being taken to a hospital.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Conviction in the Gulf as a future global hub for AI infrastructure is facing its first stress test with Iranian strikes puncturing the region’s image as a haven for computing power.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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The tree was left in pieces, with one portion puncturing the roof of the school and another crushing a fence.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, when my plane’s turn came, the takeoff was as exhilarating as ever—the low rumble and rising thrum, the smooth detachment and sudden lift, and then the surge through clouds into a piercing blue sky.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Attacks on other Gulf states Qatar and Bahrain also came under attack, piercing the kingdoms’ polished image as luxurious havens in an unstable region.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mourinho shot off down the touchline, fingers jabbing the air, hugging a ballboy in jubilation.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Though none of the celebrity moms in question have publicly spoken about the drama, earlier this week, Koma, whom has also produced several of Duff's songs in the past, shared a meme to his Instagram Story jabbing Tisdale French's piece in The Cut.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Parents picking the children up from STEM camp will be allowed on the Naval Academy base at the end of the event at Gate 8.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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These include squatting, hinging, stepping, pushing, pulling and stabilizing your core — the mechanics behind getting up from a chair, picking something up off the floor, opening and closing doors, climbing stairs, and maintaining balance to avoid falls.—
Dana Santas Feb 28,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both experts recommended sticking only to high-quality fresh or pasteurized eggs and enjoying Italian coffee in moderation.—
Eleesha Lockett,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
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Londontown Sugarcane For those still sticking true to neutrals, step outside the Ballet Slippers box with a metallic taupe nude that offers a bit of warmth just as the spring and summer glow is getting started.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Harpooning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harpooning. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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