as in stabbing
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 impaling
Back in the family’s house, the walking corpse shoves a boy onto the dishwasher, impaling him full of cutlery.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impaling
Verb
-
Concerns about light rail safety in Charlotte remain after the August stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
On Tuesday, Anthony was found guilty by a Texas jury in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf at a track meet.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
Better known by her pseudonymous social media handle Jerry Gogosian, Helphenstein left behind a complicated legacy, puncturing art world pieties with both satirical and serious memes and occasionally making inflammatory statements.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In shallow water, children may fall or land on a dive stick, resulting in serious piercing injuries.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 June 2026
-
Telefone, the piercing 2016 breakout debut from Noname, turns ten this year, and the Chicago rapper is celebrating it with a late-summer anniversary trek.—
Alex Suskind,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
-
The president has kept up his criticism of Leo, jabbing the pope in a May 4 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on the eve of Rubio’s visit.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Is that enough to force Roberts into the uncomfortable position of picking one of his aces over another, like a father picking one of his sons over another?—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
Another logistic that should be considered ahead of time is picking the route.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Other alleged nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
In qualifying, Antonelli continued his heroics to take pole, but what no one really saw coming was Max Verstappen doing Max Verstappen things and sticking his Red Bull on the first row.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impaling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
