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
Roupp helped his own cause by making a nifty play to turn two in the sixth, spearing a comebacker behind his back before firing to shortstop Willy Adames to kick-start a 1-6-3 double play. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 Jafaar al-Samra had just sold an octopus, minutes after spearing it while snorkeling. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 June 2026
Noun
Advertisement When Little Death’s spear breaks the water, Kris, a director suddenly inside the picture, asks what should happen next. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 In addition to practicing at home with a spear to get the slasher movements just right, Haven would also send Schoenbrun videos with different Little Death walk options. — Matt Minton, Variety, 9 Aug. 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
  • Texas Department of Criminal Justice A Texas judge has denied a bid for a new trial for Karmelo Anthony, who had been sentenced to 35 years in prison for fatally stabbing a fellow student at a high school track meet.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Here are key takeaways The victim was participating in but off camera during a campaign commercial for Fresno County Superior Court judge candidate Ashley Paulson when he was stabbed, law officials said in a Friday news conference.
    — Bob Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • The feeling came again when Wright, who played hockey, netball, tennis and javelin at county level in her teens, turned her hand to rugby.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One of the most memorable is witnessing the Maasai Games, where warriors compete in events such as sprinting, javelin throwing, high jump, and rungu throwing.
    — Nicola Shepherd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Her brown leather jacket was pierced with 60 stab wounds, and her throat had been slashed nearly ear to ear.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Claire’s is trying to recapture its glory as the go-to destination for both tween girls and for piercing.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • 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
  • As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lance
Verb
  • Hull made a dream return to the Premier League after a nine-year absence, beating Manchester United 2-0 to puncture any preseason optimism surrounding the 20-time champions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • One appeared to be punctured, while another had been entirely broken from its base, a Sacramento Bee reporter observed Friday.
    — Haley Parsley August 22, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • Workers have been increasingly jabbed while on the job as needle-style medications — more specifically GLP-1s — have risen in popularity.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • To hear Ossoff, a more moderate Democrat in a reddish-purple state, direct a sharp—albeit petty—jab directly at the president thrilled such voters.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • Customers can pick their bases, flavors and even caffeine level.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Also in preseason, a fellow academy graduate in Jordi Pesquer and was even reported as being picked to start against Elche for Barcelona.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • For the past few years, Florida’s housing market has been stuck in a strange kind of standoff.
    — Justin Onorato, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include eye pain, a sensation of something being stuck in the eye, watering, light sensitivity, redness, irritation and blurred or clouded vision.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spear

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