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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spear
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
In 1999, a fishermen in Malaysia was killed after being speared by a houndfish.
—Dan Radel, USA Today, 27 June 2025
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The sport involves using a sharp-pointed tool such as a harpoon, spear or gig to impale a fish's body.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spear
Verb
In 1999, a fisherman in Malaysia was killed after being speared by a houndfish, according to the Courier-Post.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
In 1999, a fishermen in Malaysia was killed after being speared by a houndfish.
—Dan Radel, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Noun
Add a few strawberries or watermelon cubes to the shaker, spear cherry tomatoes onto a skewer, or add a sprig of mint, basil or dill.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The sport involves using a sharp-pointed tool such as a harpoon, spear or gig to impale a fish's body.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spear
Verb
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But her athletic triumph was tragically dampened by years of abuse at the hands of her husband and coach Jim Martin, who in 2010 attempted to murder her, stabbing her many times, slicing the flesh off the bone from her leg, and shooting her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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Harrison stabs Prater with the needle and knocks the billionaire out.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The senior placed first at the Div. 1 championship in both javelin and discus.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 July 2025
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Tristan Dion, javelin, Pine Crest junior: Beat out friend and senior teammate Sean Nagle’s school record in the javelin by throwing 47.88 meters at the 2A state meet and finished 10th; also played tennis and football for the Panthers.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The fatal knife wound pierced Martin's sternum before going into his heart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
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Hospitals overflowing with patients ripped by shrapnel and pierced by bullets.—
Brendan Rascius,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At a handful of locations, these spikes extended out to nearly a meter, looking more like lances than anything needed to ward off a close-in attack.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Flame-retardant foams do little, and fire departments now favor high-pressure water lances or immersion pits.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
9 June 2025
Verb
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That moment punctured the membrane between past and present for me.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
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Part art, part wishful history, and part showmanship that only careful materials science could puncture.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Indian bucks would climb upon the rats’ huge nests — piles of sticks and rubbish as much as 10 feet high — and jab with long poles till the rats ran out.—
Robert Easton,
Outdoor Life,
3 Sep. 2025
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In a post on X, Massie jabbed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for his lack of support over the bill.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Forensic analysis of the bets placed, though, was enough to pick holes in the FA’s evidence.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Big Sky, Montana Swift and Kelce have previously gone on romantic retreats to Big Sky – even being linked to the highly exclusive, members-only Yellowstone Club – so the couple could pick the luxurious mountain community as a serene wedding destination.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a city of 20 million people, where most sidewalks are dilapidated, getting stuck in slow-moving traffic can sound as loud as a rock concert.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Caribbean Club This dive bar in Key Largo is stuck in the 1960s in the best way possible.—
Teaghan Skulszki,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spear. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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