1
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
let's skewer our marshmallows on these sticks and start toasting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in ridiculing
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
the satirical comic strip gleefully skewers many of society's sacred cows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skewering
This rates substantial mention when it’s remembered that The Daily Show makes sport of skewering conservatives.
—
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch ‘s media empire, the California Post will draw from and build on the venerable New York paper’s national coverage, which is known for its relentless and skewering approach to reporting and its facility with sensational or racy subject matter.
—Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Comedian Nikki Glaser earned high marks last year for her inaugural run as host of the Golden Globe Awards — striking the right balance between skewering and celebrating Hollywood.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The ensemble comedy garnered critical praise for its steady stream of zaniness and quickly gained a reputation for deftly skewering suburban life while still maintaining a general sweetness of tone.
—Will Harris, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
The claim set off a frenzy of online memes and commentators skewering the 63-year-old Ivy League graduate rolling up his sleeves and firing up the combine.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
As satire, Next to Heaven is unintelligible, as though someone is universalizing their own hangups and then skewering them for clout.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
The new episodes are extra acidic, skewering the industry while illustrating how much easier female solidarity is to sell than to practice.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
While the majority of commentary online seemed to take Thug’s move as a misstep, there’s an undertone to the cover that at once acknowledges the current moment’s eerie push toward white nationalism while skewering the concept on its face.
—Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
John Tamny, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch ‘s media empire, the California Post will draw from and build on the venerable New York paper’s national coverage, which is known for its relentless and skewering approach to reporting and its facility with sensational or racy subject matter.
—Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Comedian Nikki Glaser earned high marks last year for her inaugural run as host of the Golden Globe Awards — striking the right balance between skewering and celebrating Hollywood.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The ensemble comedy garnered critical praise for its steady stream of zaniness and quickly gained a reputation for deftly skewering suburban life while still maintaining a general sweetness of tone.
—Will Harris, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
The claim set off a frenzy of online memes and commentators skewering the 63-year-old Ivy League graduate rolling up his sleeves and firing up the combine.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
As satire, Next to Heaven is unintelligible, as though someone is universalizing their own hangups and then skewering them for clout.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
The new episodes are extra acidic, skewering the industry while illustrating how much easier female solidarity is to sell than to practice.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
While the majority of commentary online seemed to take Thug’s move as a misstep, there’s an undertone to the cover that at once acknowledges the current moment’s eerie push toward white nationalism while skewering the concept on its face.
—Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skewering
Verb
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Ivan Miller, 22, of Blakesburg, Iowa, admitted to shooting the three women and stabbing one of them in interviews with investigators, according to a criminal complaint.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2026
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The next morning, as Nguyen was getting ready for work, Tran shot her in the arm with a BB gun, forced her into a closet and then began stabbing her repeatedly with a knife, Campbell said.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other potential candidates, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom, have achieved fame by berating and ridiculing the other side.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
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Humiliating him would be like ridiculing the queen to her face.—
Roger Bennett,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 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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And Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, who wasn’t even a first round pick in several mock drafts in January, is now routinely being projected for the top 12, with longtime analyst Dane Brugler mocking him 11th to Miami in his draft this week for the Athletic.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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This might be the first time a film opens in theaters attached to a trailer for another movie mocking its franchise.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
2 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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An autopsy shows all three shots fired by Stevens hit Martinez, with bullets traveling through his left arm before entering his torso and piercing his heart, lungs, liver and other organs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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An autopsy report shows all three shots fired by Stevens hit Martinez, with bullets traveling through his left arm before entering his torso and piercing his heart, lungs, liver and other organs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Finding the right pillow is a lot like picking the perfect paint color—there are thousands of options to narrow down, and each one can make an impact on how cozy your bedroom feels.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Winds were predicted to subside in the evening hours on Saturday before picking back up on Sunday morning, albeit at lower speeds than Saturday morning.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While standard cast iron typically requires seasoning to both preserve and maintain its quality and help prevent food from sticking, this cast iron is equipped with a black matte satin interior enamel coating that’s made to resist cracking, chipping, and staining.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
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Hanson continued to cause problems for Christensen — now at Barcelona — by sticking diligently to his left flank duties, and Filipe Morais levelled the score 15 minutes from time.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skewering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skewering. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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