spear 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spearnext
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object she speared a pea with her fork and angrily flung it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spear

2 of 2

noun

ˈspir How to pronounce spear (audio)
as in javelin
a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade the Roman gladiator thrust his spear triumphantly into the lion's side

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spear
Verb
The Young Bucks went for a BTE Trigger, but Cope accidentally speared Cage while trying to break it up. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
Breakker delivered a devastating spear to Evans, leveling him into the barricade. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Spears and a club The team found a pointed stick and two spears lying close to the antlered skulls of red deer. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spear
  1. stab
  2. javelin
  3. pierce
  4. lance
  5. puncture
  6. jab
  7. pick
  8. stick
Verb
  • Last month, a Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • An East Bay man accused of fatally stabbing his wife earlier this month was out on bail in a domestic violence case, prosecutors said.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Yadav won gold and set a record in the men’s F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
  • His deep ball and his javelin toss can easily clear 50 yards.
    — Ren Clayton, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • The bullet pierced the rear passenger window of Irvine’s car, striking him in the right shoulder and causing his death.
    — Kelsie Cairns , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • No wonder some of the film’s most piercing moments are on the periphery.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Additionally, objects of cultural patrimony such as five pairs of moccasins, one coupstick, one Cheyenne cradle board and one lance were returned in the ceremony.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of lance
Verb
  • Like Trouble, Zukenee can lull you into a groove, then puncture that false sense of security with an abrupt shift in tone.
    — Narsimha Gour Chintaluri, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The sullen tribute to Payne settled the room into a cool near-silence, punctured by quiet gasps and muffled crying.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rainbow continued to jab the secretary of health as his primary opposition throughout the parody of the Frank Loesser song.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • The proof of concept combines robotic manipulation, AI and virtual simulation to explore how robots can pick components from containers and arrange them in the correct order for vehicle assembly.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The country estate sits on a 40-acre lot in the alpine village of Tolochenaz, near Lausanne, guaranteeing privacy—and plenty of space to host garden parties or pick cherries from the orchard, as Audrey did decades ago.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • The untraditional layout stuck first gear off to the side, making the 2-3 shift most likely to be often reached for under hard use easier to crack off.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Watch Duty exploded in popularity by providing up-to-the-minute firefighting updates, fire perimeters, and on-the-scene reports to people previously stuck navigating a fractured system of emergency alerts that gave minimal information.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of stick

Browse Nearby Words

speak up
spear
spear-carrier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spear. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spear

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