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
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Recent Examples of skewers
My review skewers the ability of the cast of six to transition into so many varied roles and dual identities.
—
Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skewers
Verb
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The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
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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
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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In an odd twist, ESPN’s Matt Miller mocks Joly to Denver with the 111th pick — which is the fourth-rounder that Miami dealt to the Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle deal that netted the Dolphins picks in the first, third and fourth rounds.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
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This seems like a reach, but many mocks now have Cooper, previously considered a second-round pick, going to the Jets in the middle of the first round.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 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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Lohan's day of filming included a version that sticks closely to the original blueprint.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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The public jabs from the president have angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Give your jacket collection a makeover with these lightweight Quince picks starting at $50.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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Their current, championship-contending rotation includes late second-round draft picks Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, each of whom proved their NBA abilities playing heavy minutes in mostly losing efforts.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skewers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skewers. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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