as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
she deftly harpooned a shrimp with her skewer and held it over the fire
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harpoon
Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 20 Dec. 2024
Gress was arrested Wednesday on suspicion drug possession and pointing a harpoon at his partner, police said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2025
He was arrested on March 5 for pointing a harpoon at his domestic partner and for possession of drugs, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
After trying to convince the disgruntled clerk to take it off his hands, the monkey bangs its drum, causing a harpoon gun on display to impale the clerk and rip out his entrails.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harpoon
Noun
Scientists have also drawn on historical evidence—the harpoon tips embedded in the animals’ blubber.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 20 Dec. 2024
Gress was arrested Wednesday on suspicion drug possession and pointing a harpoon at his partner, police said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2025
He was arrested on March 5 for pointing a harpoon at his domestic partner and for possession of drugs, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
After trying to convince the disgruntled clerk to take it off his hands, the monkey bangs its drum, causing a harpoon gun on display to impale the clerk and rip out his entrails.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harpoon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harpoon
Verb
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Police said evidence found at the scene indicated the man was stabbed near a bus stop in the 100 block of 11th Street.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
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Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said he was stabbed in the heart and died in his twin brother’s arms.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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During those visits, Zelensky wore a simple sweatshirt—also embroidered with the trident.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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An attacking trident considered to be the best in world football - of left and right wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal plus striker Lewandowski - is broken up.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The five-year-old ear-piercing studio is opening a fleet of units this year both in new and existing markets, bringing its store count to 40 by the end of the year.—
Layla Ilchi,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
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The song and album aren’t always as piercing as the couplet, but brevity allows Showbiz!—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some of the obsidian artifacts, including arrowheads and spear tips, traveled nearly 750 miles from their source, according to Allan.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
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The oldest item is an atlatl, otherwise known as a spear thrower, which the researchers described in a 2023 paper in The Journal of Big Bend Studies.—
Livia Albeck-Ripka,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But economic realities and the physical limits of beaming internet connectivity from space could puncture the good vibes.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Having your skin punctured by a needle over and over hurts — and larger body art can require several sittings.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The retainer then struck her down with a halberd, set the mansion ablaze, and committed seppuku.—
Nicholas Liu,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2024
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Also, his halberd starts fritzing on the floor before fading out of existence, a reminder that this is all virtual reality—or rather, VR within VR, the metatextual framing of Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed game.—
WIRED,
WIRED,
16 Nov. 2023
Verb
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The law has long recognized that attorneys should feel free to punch and jab their opponent with threats and intimidation to try to resolve a dispute before filing a lawsuit, because court dockets are jammed with cases and tough talk can help clear the deck.—
Bill Hochberg,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Others recalled him having stand-up rows, shouting, swearing, and jabbing his finger in the direction of co-workers.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rhodes and Reigns had an epic fight, with Reigns sticking in it with the help of the Bloodline and Rhodes surviving purely based on his own toughness.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
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Keep Light Bulbs From Sticking Outdoor light bulbs can have a knack for sticking in the socket after long periods of time, leaving you with the task of trying to unscrew a stubborn bulb without breaking the glass.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harpoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harpoon. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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