as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
she speared a pea with her fork and angrily flung it
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Recent Examples of spearing
As settlers moved into the area and took tribal lands near the river for farming, the Bindjareb resorted to taking the settlers’ crops and spearing their cattle for food.
—
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Mikel Arteta reflected on how his group lived the period between points inexplicably frittered away at Wolves and confidently spearing the heart of their rivals four days later.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Traditional Japanese yakitori calls for spearing chicken seasoned with salt or a soy basting sauce onto bamboo skewers and grilling them over charcoal.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Breakker went on to complete the match by spearing and pinning CM Punk.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
That album cut, originally featured on OK Computer, became a hit seemingly out of nowhere earlier this year after spearing like wildfire on TikTok.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Mikel Arteta reflected on how his group lived the period between points inexplicably frittered away at Wolves and confidently spearing the heart of their rivals four days later.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Traditional Japanese yakitori calls for spearing chicken seasoned with salt or a soy basting sauce onto bamboo skewers and grilling them over charcoal.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
Breakker went on to complete the match by spearing and pinning CM Punk.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
That album cut, originally featured on OK Computer, became a hit seemingly out of nowhere earlier this year after spearing like wildfire on TikTok.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spearing
Verb
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He was tried, convicted and sentenced to 35 years behind bars earlier this month for stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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He was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for manslaughter, after fatally stabbing a man during a fight.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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Better known by her pseudonymous social media handle Jerry Gogosian, Helphenstein left behind a complicated legacy, puncturing art world pieties with both satirical and serious memes and occasionally making inflammatory statements.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The audience groaned, while Vergara and Mel B screamed for Strange to stop jabbing at his partner through the box.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
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The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
Verb
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On the other hand, however, take a step back and the world-building is jaw-dropping; on a big screen, Rogue Trooper is almost overwhelming, and Barnard becomes an almost godlike presence by the end with his piercing white eyes (don’t worry, it’s explained).—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
22 June 2026
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If discovering tiny insect casings or sticky residue, this often indicates those insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that slowly siphon sap from plants, depleting their ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Its name comes from the fact that the fruit usually ripens and is ready for picking around this time of year.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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Callihan had trouble picking it up, allowing McCarthy to race around the bases and beat the relay throw home.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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No other airline has plans to compete with the carrier, sticking instead to traditional one-stop gateways, like Dubai, Los Angeles, or Singapore.—
Edward Russell,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
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Those who cannot twerk usually fall back on sticking their tongues down each other’s throats, because this is Love Island, after all.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearing. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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