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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Advertisement In the fight, Ruben begins to strangle Niall, though Niall protects himself by stabbing Ruben in the side with a knife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
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The 23-year-old man was suicidal and held a butcher’s knife to his own throat before charging at officers and stabbing both Officer Mark Moore and a police dog at an Aurora apartment complex.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Officials say there's still time to mitigate the explosion by puncturing Timmy's carcass or cutting the vessel open completely.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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Memories linger from past hurricanes with limbs puncturing roofs, car windows smashed and lives disrupted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
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The president has kept up his criticism of Leo, jabbing the pope in a May 4 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on the eve of Rubio’s visit.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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It’s designed to deter unwanted encounters by attracting attention with a piercing siren and strobe light when the top is pulled.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
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My laugh is loud, if not to say piercing.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The parliamentary election will decide the next government, with the winning party picking the prime minister.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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There is not one set rule on picking a captain, especially for a World Cup.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The sun’s connection to Saturn shows that sticking it out was the right call.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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That's not to say fundamental investors should be ostriches, sticking their heads in the ground and avoiding the big picture and market trends.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spearing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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