skewer

verb

Definition of skewernext
1
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object let's skewer our marshmallows on these sticks and start toasting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to ridicule
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter the satirical comic strip gleefully skewers many of society's sacred cows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 skewer Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the plants, taking care not to skewer the onions. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026 As if being ripped nationwide for his travel plans wasn’t painful enough, McVay will also be skewered for a baffling decision on a third-quarter play that could have rescued the Rams but instead doomed them. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Some Jewish Democrats were already skeptical of El-Sayed, a longtime critic of Israel who skewered his primary opponent over the millions of dollars in spending on her behalf by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 Breitbart has also published an article skewering Hamilton for suggesting that adherents of other religions might get to Heaven. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skewer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skewer
  1. stab
  2. ridicule
  3. puncture
  4. mock
  5. pierce
  6. stick
  7. jab
  8. pick
Verb
  • The North Texas woman arrested Tuesday after allegedly stabbing and injuring her husband and two young children at their Northlake home had been struggling with postpartum depression, according to court documents.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Tate and four others were stabbed and shot during the attacks.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • That reluctance to expose his central characters and the institution to ridicule is odd given the novel’s account of Ayad’s education as a playwright.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At the sectarian level, Baptists ridiculed Quakers, Presbyterians oppressed Anabaptists.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of ridicule
Verb
  • Like the earlier series, this one readily acknowledges how real-world horrors can puncture even a relative safe space like Hillman.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That notion reached its pinnacle after the Chiefs beat the Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game but was punctured by their 40-22 clobbering at the hands of the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • On June 18, Reese appeared to mock Clark for trying to draw a foul after the two made contact.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Nike’s experimented with other applications such as mules and tennis shoes, but the results were mocked if not downright disastrous.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • Another piece sliced through his salivary gland before bouncing off his jaw and piercing the back of his neck, severing an artery and embedding in a vertebra.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The most impressive is the national park’s namesake, El Teide, a cloud-piercing volcano at around 12,200 feet high—Spain’s tallest peak.
    — Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • One prospective shopper, Sam, a 38-year-old freelance fashion designer, was drawn in first by the queue, but decided to stick it out.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Overrun with puzzling plot points, several cameos and a bloated supporting cast, the series fails to stick the landing.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stick
Verb
  • At the tail end of their time on stage, the former castmates took the opportunity to jab at the Buffy revival’s cancellation earlier this year.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of jab
Verb
  • The market has picked 12 fiction and documentary features, all in late-stage development, for its Tasveer Market Selects strand.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Also for those with kitchens, there is a Whole Foods and Safeway close by to pick-up groceries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of pick

Browse Nearby Words

skewed
skewer
skewered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skewer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skewer. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All