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
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 And whether you’re drawn to the garlicky crunch of a dill pickle spear or the sweeter, tangier bite of a bread and butter one, the Pickle Parlor in Mount Olive, North Carolina, is a must-do detour for pickle lovers. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 5 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
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • 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
  • On the island, Heiva i Tahiti has been celebrated every July since, with traditional dance, drumming, singing and sports, such as javelin throwing and canoe races.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Noun
  • The pipes and pumps connect 210 snow cannons and 50 snow lances in the Adelboden-Lenk area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Fer-de-lance Fer-de-lance is a common name applied to highly dangerous pit vipers in the Bothrops genus, particularly in Central and South America.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of lance
Verb
  • Under Booster Seats Booster seats can dig into leather car seats and puncture the material over time.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • That’s partly the result of actions by Curtis, like taking customer’s phone calls and jabbing at a competitor on social media.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • Backstage, Kenny Omega calls the Don Callis Family bullies and tells them to pick any three members to face him and The Young Bucks, who are standing beside Omega, next week.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • At the time, Valli’s rep told Variety in a statement that the musician decided to cancel the shows instead of rescheduling them so that his fans with tickets would not be stuck in limbo.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Stickers are stuck in the wrong spot, Trevor Etienne gets put on the board when it was meant to be his brother Travis, and owners look frantically for a Stefon Diggs or Keenan Allen sticker that doesn’t exist in the pack.
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spear

Nglish: Translation of spear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spear

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