1
as in stabs
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 ridicules
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
the satirical comic strip gleefully skewers many of society's sacred cows
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skewers
From Breaking Bad to Fight Club, the misinterpretation of media that skewers the male power fantasy is well established, and the long-gestating HBO sleeper hit Industry, now in its senior season, is no exception to the literacy crisis.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
Tracy’s script skewers the hollow moral language of powerful corporate elites like Stone’s character, while also probing the anger and alienation driving Teddy and Don, treating their bonkers beliefs with both satire and unsettling flashes of emotional truth.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Nicholson portrays a delusional stalker whom viewers will warm to, while Weaving skewers celebrity culture.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The citizen in you laughs heartily as this film, a tragicomedy, skewers the hypocrisies and ironies of the repressed West.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, a story from Indiana explains how one bird species skewers its prey on barbed wire, then returns for it later.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Wall skewers America’s adoption industrial complex which has worked to take Native babies and children by force or funny business from Native families and communities and place them in white homes for 100 years.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
Tracy’s script skewers the hollow moral language of powerful corporate elites like Stone’s character, while also probing the anger and alienation driving Teddy and Don, treating their bonkers beliefs with both satire and unsettling flashes of emotional truth.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Nicholson portrays a delusional stalker whom viewers will warm to, while Weaving skewers celebrity culture.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
The citizen in you laughs heartily as this film, a tragicomedy, skewers the hypocrisies and ironies of the repressed West.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, a story from Indiana explains how one bird species skewers its prey on barbed wire, then returns for it later.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Wall skewers America’s adoption industrial complex which has worked to take Native babies and children by force or funny business from Native families and communities and place them in white homes for 100 years.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skewers
Verb
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But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though Claudius ridicules Hamlet for his emotional vulnerability, his grief drives him to avenge his father and emerge as a hero.—
Jeanette Tran,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
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Back in their teenage years, Lexi’s older sister Andrea is depicted as a mean girl who ridicules Catherine mercilessly.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Generally speaking, Normand playfully mocks all sorts of different groups rather equally.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
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Its leader, the president, abuses power, hurts the innocent, and mocks the dead before their families have even begun to grieve.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once the media sticks its oar in, the real reason for the robbery emerges by degrees.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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Fuji sticks close to its playbook and delivers a camera that's simple to use, captures instant photos with the same analog aesthetic that has made Instax the instant film of choice for going on twenty years.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Donald Trump‘s effort today to praise his new Homeland Security Secretary and defend him from Jimmy Kimmel‘s jabs kind of backfired.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
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In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Celebrity book clubs often also try to funnel their high-profile picks into buzzy on-screen adaptations.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
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However, that’s not a reasonable expectation, no matter how many draft picks the Dolphins have.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skewers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skewers. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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