spears 1 of 2

noun

plural of spear
as in javelins
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

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spears

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of spear
as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object she speared a pea with her fork and angrily flung it

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 spears
Noun
Spears and a club The team found a pointed stick and two spears lying close to the antlered skulls of red deer. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026 The fog rises from Mount Tamalpais like a spirit, slowly billowing over spears of feathery redwoods and fluffs of fragrant bay laurels. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Arrange the spears in a single layer on a sheet pan and toss with olive oil. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026 The same chargrill produces the usual skewers but also charred okra spears or smoky mushrooms. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026 Roasting keeps the spears tender while adding light browning and a slightly crisp exterior for better texture and flavor. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026 Marin’s diagonal shot dips at the last second and spears into the top corner of the net. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 In Saratoga that translated to humorous/hard-hitting spears tossed at Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and even The Who’s own late great bassist John Entwistle. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2026 Protective, almost — which makes sense, as its stunning chandeliers are designed to look like the shields and spears of African Masai warriors. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
The midfielder spears an accurate long ball to Yildiz, setting him away into the box. — Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spears
  1. javelins
  2. stabs
  3. lances
  4. picks
  5. punctures
  6. pierces
  7. sticks
  8. jabs
Noun
  • Humans have been throwing javelins for a few hundred thousand years, yet performance has largely plateaued.
    — R. Alexander Bentley, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 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
Definition of javelins
Verb
  • The sequence culminates in the Great Hall, where Ned kicks part of his broken cane to Colum, who stabs MacKinney in the leg.
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But before Bane can finish him off, Batman stabs a Batarang into a little knob on Bane’s wrist gauntlet, the one that controls his intake of Venom.
    — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of stabs
Noun
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Snow cannons and lances are the visible part of the snowmaking network.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lances
Verb
  • That list goes from first-round picks offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson to Day 2 guys such as linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, tight end Will Kacmarek as well as wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Rams acquired Garrett in a June trade that sent outside linebacker Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and other future picks to the Cleveland Browns.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of picks
Verb
  • The incidental findings problem Here is the number that punctures the marketing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
  • That’s because when a snake bites and punctures the skin and transfers venom into the victim’s body, the venom attacks the skin, soft tissue and connective tissue beneath it.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of punctures
Verb
  • Christmas tree pins have a tiered configuration that compresses rather than pierces the ground (a win for modern synthetic or Mondo tracks).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • An ice sculpture of a heart includes a tube through the ice arrow that pierces the heart.
    — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Definition of pierces
Verb
  • The right-side fan mount is also covered with a dust filter, which sticks magnetically to the inside of the side panel.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Selfie sticks dangle off every bridge, and tour groups shuffle behind guides waving flags.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of sticks
Verb
  • Rather than immediately running toward his destination on the opposite side of the field, Jefferson jabs at the defender to create even more separation.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Vance, El-Sayed exchange jabs over spouse comments The dispute also took a personal turn as the vice president condemned El-Sayed for comments about second lady Usha Vance.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of jabs

Browse Nearby Words

spearmen
spears
special
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Cite this Entry

“Spears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spears. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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