as in knives
an instrument with a metal length that has a sharp edge for cutting
slashed at the prison guard with a shank he had secretly made from a scrap of metal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of shanks
But look out back, and there’s an Ole Hickory Pits commercial smoker cooking beef ribs, brisket, lamb shanks and chicken wings.
—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
While the investigation was ongoing, Adams buried prison shanks and contraband cell phones in his backyard to obstruct the GBI, officials said.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Highlights in the collection include the Addison Overshirt, a snap-button style with a spread collar and the off-white Billie Overall with adjustable straps, side seam shanks at the waist and an apron chest pocket.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Think short ribs, oxtail, shanks, or even brisket point cut.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Lucrezia’s Regularly voted the region’s top Italian restaurant, Lucrezia’s serves housemade pasta, classic Italian appetizers, and braised lamb shanks and short ribs in a garden setting.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025
Boos rain down as Jeremy Crawshaw shanks that punt off the side of his foot.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Homemade knives, called shanks, are plentiful inside the prison, several inmates said.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
Some of my favorite cuts for braising include pork shoulder, beef brisket, short ribs, chicken thighs, and lamb shanks.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
While the investigation was ongoing, Adams buried prison shanks and contraband cell phones in his backyard to obstruct the GBI, officials said.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Highlights in the collection include the Addison Overshirt, a snap-button style with a spread collar and the off-white Billie Overall with adjustable straps, side seam shanks at the waist and an apron chest pocket.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Think short ribs, oxtail, shanks, or even brisket point cut.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Lucrezia’s Regularly voted the region’s top Italian restaurant, Lucrezia’s serves housemade pasta, classic Italian appetizers, and braised lamb shanks and short ribs in a garden setting.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025
Boos rain down as Jeremy Crawshaw shanks that punt off the side of his foot.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2025
Homemade knives, called shanks, are plentiful inside the prison, several inmates said.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
Some of my favorite cuts for braising include pork shoulder, beef brisket, short ribs, chicken thighs, and lamb shanks.
—Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shanks
Noun
-
Most home cooks are better off with knives that feel balanced and comfortable in-hand.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
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Someone left dolls meant to resemble Lew Wasserman and the studio’s spokesperson Sally Van Slyke, crucified and with knives sticking out of them, at Universal’s headquarters.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Those ships, known for now as the FF (X), will be based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class national security cutters.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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More powerful laser cutters often need to be paired with external air pumps and filtration systems.—
Andrew Liszewski,
The Verge,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shanks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shanks. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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