spear 1 of 2

Definition of spearnext

spear

2 of 2

noun

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
Homemade potato chips come speared on a wooden skewer, perfect for pulling and snacking. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025 Breakker went on to complete the match by spearing and pinning CM Punk. Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
After the fleece is placed on the tree, not with a spear, but simply hung on it, the group discovers the next day that Thalia has been resurrected. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Elliss was the tip of the spear on two run stuffs. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spear
Verb
  • The stabbing death of former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson could be linked to a series of homicides, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said on Tuesday.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The brother survived the shot, but died after Thompson took a knife and stabbed him 57 times, mostly in the neck area.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Let me be run through with the wooden javelin of truth.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The Tofinu took refuge in the lagoons along the Bight of Benin, a core area of the slave trade, venturing forth in canoes with harpoons, javelins, and swords to fight off raiders from powerful nearby kingdoms.
    Laurent Dubois, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Bird by Bird is generous, charming, and quietly piercing.
    Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Author Ta-Nehisi Coates, an 8-year-old in West Baltimore at the time of the murder, offers piercing commentary on the impact of both the initial crime and the succeeding one, the grievously unjust trial that put three kids in the penitentiary.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Warhorses charge, lances down, crashing through the tilts as lances break on shields and men topple from their steeds.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • As the horses gallop and the lances shatter, Egg whoops like a ringside spectator at WrestleMania.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One of the bullets struck Boyd in the abdomen, traveled through his body, and ultimately punctured one of his lungs.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Needles can puncture the walls of veins, causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But the Aztecs had a counterpunch for every Cowboys jab – a Miles Byrd drive that drew two free throws, a jump hook off the glass from Pharaoh Compton, a 3 from Magoon Gwath, a 3 from Taj DeGourville , a jumper in traffic from Dixon-Waters.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Others stuck flagpoles through an open passenger-side window, appearing to jab the suspect.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Then, later that week while playing pick-up basketball, his season came crashing down.
    Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Add 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped, and 2 small sprigs thyme, leaves picked, and cook, stirring often, until radicchio is softened and wilted, 5–8 minutes.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Twin looked down the rare building alleys, stuck her hand in sandboxes, found combs with missing teeth, unopened letters from Child Services.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Rather than feeling stuck between silence and overstatement, the most effective leaders are taking a more intentional approach.
    Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spear. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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