spear 1 of 2

spear

2 of 2

noun

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
Roman accidentally speared Punk in the middle of a GTS. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 As people came close a branch would drop and spear the person in the stomach. Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
Mark Zuckerberg [Archival audio]: The US government should be defending its companies, not be the tip of the spear attacking its companies. Lauren Goode, WIRED, 23 Jan. 2025 The mosaic depicts a battle: Surrounded by a mess of fighting cavalry, Alexander wields a long spear. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spear
Verb
  • Listen to this article A 58-year-old man was stabbed in the back of his shoulder and bitten on the top of his head while onboard an L train in Brooklyn, police said Friday.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025
  • He is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the brutal stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
    Nicole Acosta, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • With all of this going on in the house, why, oh why would Jesse Solomon (always both names) hurl himself at Lexi with the velocity of a gold medal javelin throw?
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Instead, General Livius duels Commodus with javelins for the fate of Rome in a makeshift arena made of centurion shields.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • When recovered, the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing standard body armor and ready to fire, with the scope caps flipped open, the selector lever set to fire and a round chambered.
    Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Prosecutors said the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing body armor, with the scope caps open, and was ready to fire.
    Jack Date, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Multiply the rain’s lances, multiply their ruin, the grace born from subtraction as the hold’s iron door rolled over their eyes like pots left out in the rain, and the bolt rammed home its echo, the way that thunder- claps perpetuate their reverberation.
    Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
  • But the market has largely taken care of this, puncturing all of the most popular premises entering 2025: U.S. exceptionalism, bearishness on bonds and a belief that the market could broaden in a smooth and painless way.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Pope jabs Vance, criticizes Trump admin for mass deportations Pope Francis denounced the Trump administration's plan to carry out mass deportations of migrants in a letter to U.S. bishops Tuesday, while appearing to take a direct jab at Vice President JD Vance.
    Dan Primack, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Shortly after the beatdown, video footage leaked online showing the combative artist lying on the ground while being jabbed and stomped.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In picking Bongino for the FBI deputy director job, Trump again is emphasizing loyalty and MAGA credentials over experience.
    Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The same goes for other retailers, such as Macy’s , that continue to close stores , which leads to both merchandise for TJX buyers to pick at and real estate opportunities to add new stores or relocate to better locations.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Vivienne appeared to be having fun with her friend, as she was pictured laughing and sticking her tongue out.
    Effie Orfanides, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
  • That means taking off your shoe and sock and checking for any sign of injury such as any tenderness, swelling, bruising, deformity, laceration or bones sticking through the skin.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spear. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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