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
Jafaar al-Samra had just sold an octopus, minutes after spearing it while snorkeling. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026 But Breakker was there to spear Rollins. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Noun
The content creator became the tip of the spear in a grassroots campaign to get EA to remove microtransactions from the game entirely, even adopting the hashtag #CFBPlayDontPay. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 Heavily inspired by Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s 1652 sculpture, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, depicting an angel piercing the saint’s heart—Your soul woke up in flames from a spear by an angel. — Tina Eves, SPIN, 13 July 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
  • An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested after five people were stabbed early Saturday morning in Old Sacramento, police said.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • About ten minutes later, Morales Moshe stabbed Yezhak Grunhaus in the chest with a screwdriver outside The Jewish Center, a prominent Upper West Side synagogue, on Amsterdam Ave.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • On the island, Heiva i Tahiti has been celebrated every July since, with traditional dance, drumming, singing and sports, such as javelin throwing and canoe races.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
  • Nebraska's Dyson Wicker won the pole vault at an NCAA-leading 19-2 1/4, and Texas A&M senior Zaza Nnamdi took javelin at 269-10.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Their headlamps piercing the watery dark, the group swims along (only Sara has accepted a life jacket), admiring the bats and stalactites while Wat reminds them to respect the caves.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • O’Connor’s face filled the screen, her crystal-blue eyes piercing me in my own living room.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 July 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • Bottom cleaners use lances to scrape biofoul off hulls.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Um dos lances mais bonitos da nossa história.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of lance
Verb
  • As the spacecraft closed in, the video follows Mars steadily expanding to reveal numerous craters puncturing its surface, the ancient double-ringed Huygens crater and the south polar ice cap before receding in the spacecraft's rearview.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 22 July 2026
  • More broadly, Iran’s attacks have also punctured confidence and security in the Gulf, disrupting tourism and air travel in a key global transport node, and prompting some expats to flee.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu jabbed back against the prevailing narrative yesterday, saying she was never invited to participate in the WNBA’s 3-point contest this weekend.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Michigan Dem hopeful Abdul El-Sayed jabs CNN giving him 'non-consensual colonoscopy' in recent interviews.
    — , FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • The Missouri General Assembly voted to establish a fair in 1899, and were going to pick the permanent city location from a selection of finalists.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • There were moments throughout the chase in which the Wolves truly believed James would pick them, including during a flurry of conversations with his representatives leading into the Fourth of July weekend.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • After Ospreay saved Omega, Omega stuck Ospreay with a One Winged Angel and AEW Redemption mercifully went off the air.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The Ravens waived Diego Pavia this week, which cut down on competition for UConn’s Joe Fagnano to stick as a rookie, undrafted free agent quarterback.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 July 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 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spear

Nglish: Translation of spear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spear

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