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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spear
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Image Image Outside, a whiteboard listed who speared each sturgeon and their weights and lengths.
—Brian Kaiser, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spear
Verb
Some vulnerable farmers, desperate to protect their livelihoods, retaliate by spearing the elephants.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Image Image Outside, a whiteboard listed who speared each sturgeon and their weights and lengths.
—Brian Kaiser, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
As the tip of the spear for strategic deterrence, [ballistic missile submarine] operations demonstrate the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, global reach and capability of our undersea force.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spear
Verb
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After slaughtering the other contenders and attacking students at the dance, Dan is unmasked after Lori stabs him in the eye with her crown.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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Colette Stevenson MacDonald, 26, along with the couple's two daughters, Kimberley, 6, and Kristin, 2, were stabbed and beaten to death at their home located on the Fort Bragg Army base in North Carolina.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Delap had been a javelin thrower in his youth, becoming local champion for his athletics club in Carlisle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The Kansas City native excelled in high school track and field as a shot putter, and threw the discus and javelin.—
Bruce Feldman,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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Haliburton, the star Indiana Pacers point guard, appeared to have missed the attempt that would pierce their hearts, turn their stomachs into mush and transform their minds into a cauldron of rage.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 May 2025
Noun
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With about a thousand Mexicans in front of him, Yell charged alone with his sword in hand, apparently killing several Mexicans until brought down by multiple lance wounds.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
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But every individual had suffered some sort of devastating injury—like wounds made by swords, lances, daggers and iron bolts.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Big Red punctured the scoreboard first when sophomore attackman Ryan Waldman dodged the left alley and scored with 10:38 left in the first quarter.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
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Memories linger from past hurricanes with limbs puncturing roofs, car windows smashed and lives disrupted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Donald Trump continues to jab Taylor Swift over Super Bowl During press interviews for Super Bowl 59, Mahomes' teammate and Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce stoked controversy for praising Trump's plans to attend the two-time reigning champ's big game against the Philadelphia Eagles.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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But the director maintains a strong level of realistic tension, sticking to Camille’s side as the boy takes plenty of blows but dishes out plenty as well, jabbing his way towards a form of self-realization.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Situations like, how to thread the needle between multiple dietary restrictions, or how to pick a menu that can be made days in advance so hosts can save their energy for the party itself.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 May 2025
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Best new cars in 2025: See Consumer Reports' top picks for reliability, safety and moreNeed a break?—
Nora Eckert,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Philips sticked away a backhand attempt by Minnesota’s Brooke McQuigge just 35 seconds into overtime, with the Frost forward getting loose in front of the Ottawa net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
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An animated Wheel Of Time, for instance, could stick closer to the source material while costing a fraction of what a live-action series costs.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spear. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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