as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 impale
Analyzing the legendary unicorn tapestries hanging at the Met Cloisters in New York (augmented here by a gory new panel that depicts the suddenly fearsome animals disemboweling and impaling their aggressors), Ridley concludes that unicorns aren’t nearly as benevolent as most people think.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
After trying to convince the disgruntled clerk to take it off his hands, the monkey bangs its drum, causing a harpoon gun on display to impale the clerk and rip out his entrails.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
People get impaled, electrocuted, blown up real good.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
Moving wall of spikes completes migration across room, but victim is not impaled.
—Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impale
Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
After trying to convince the disgruntled clerk to take it off his hands, the monkey bangs its drum, causing a harpoon gun on display to impale the clerk and rip out his entrails.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
People get impaled, electrocuted, blown up real good.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
Moving wall of spikes completes migration across room, but victim is not impaled.
—Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impale
Verb
-
But when that program was repealed, Maria was forced to send her daughter to the local public school where, recently, three students were charged with stabbing, running over, and burning a fellow student.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
He was also suspected in a different stabbing several weeks ago in Bridgeport.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
While traveling to Saint Luke’s Hospital aboard an ambulance, the suspect allegedly stabbed Hoffman with a knife, piercing his heart, around 1:25 a.m.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Nothing but quick and shocking outbursts of violence can pierce the movie’s surfaces of overheated restraint.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The trip to Paris ended in defeat and while the return leg at Villa Park conjured up both a win and one of the best games of the season, Villa’s European dreams were punctured by Luis Enrique’s men.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The plotline’s matter-of-fact profanity at once punctured any sense of simplistic morality and underlined that world events always coexist with everyday indignities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Steelers’ draft picks Picks will be updated throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, April 24–26.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The toppings really make the dish here—pick your favorites!—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
No calibration, no camera… just plug, stick, and go.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Cut up old microfiber cloths and stick them under heavy plant pots.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Payne, who’s known and been good friends with Bridges since their Phoenix Suns days, is never afraid to jab a teammate when necessary.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impale. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share