impaling

verb

present participle of impale
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 impaling During the gameplay, Logan certainly gets his fair share of bloody kicks, deadly swipes, and claw impaling punches. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 Hickory Hills and Bridgeview area residents stood outside their apartment building Friday looking at the roof blown off and a piece of wood impaling a garage. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 Back in the family’s house, the walking corpse shoves a boy onto the dishwasher, impaling him full of cutlery. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026 Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD. — Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impaling
  1. stabbing
  2. puncturing
  3. piercing
  4. jabbing
  5. picking
  6. sticking
Verb
  • As officers worked on one stabbing scene, more calls came in — another stabbing, then another, then three more, all before officers tracked down and arrested the suspect nearby.
    — Maddie White, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • While at the scene, they were notified by BART police that a third stabbing victim had been found near the Fruitvale station.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of stabbing
Verb
  • 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
  • According to the company website, the glove is designed to disrupt sensory nerves without puncturing or burning the skin.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncturing
Verb
  • Agents then raided the Wynwood apartment and found 540 kilos (almost 1,200 pounds) of cocaine, $3 million in cash, 14 firearms and more than 100 rounds of armor-piercing bullets, prosecutors say.
    — David Goodhue August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Claire’s is trying to recapture its glory as the go-to destination for both tween girls and for piercing.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of piercing
Verb
  • Years ago, after Jake died, my instinct as a medical student was anger — clenching my teeth and jabbing a pen into my notepad, making a line of inky holes along the margin.
    — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of jabbing
Verb
  • Allergists recommend bypassing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and instead, picking your favorite nonsedating antihistamine pill, like fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), according to the World Allergy Organization.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Now, the state is essentially picking winners, not rescuing big US companies that are deemed critical to the economy.
    — Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of picking
Verb
  • The Dodgers have no business sticking Ohtani back on the mound.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • On the podcast, Sheridan acknowledged the Jimmy connection, while sticking in the nail in the coffin on the series.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sticking

Browse Nearby Words

impales
impaling
impalpable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impaling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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