Library / English Dictionary

IMPALE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pierce with a sharp stake or point

Example:

impale a shrimp on a skewer

Synonyms:

empale; impale; spike; transfix

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "impale" is one way to...):

pierce; thrust (penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "impale"):

pin (pierce with a pin)

spear (pierce with a spear)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

impalement (the act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole

Example:

the enemies were impaled and left to die

Synonyms:

impale; stake

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "impale" is one way to...):

kill (cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly)

"Impale" entails doing...:

pierce (make a hole into)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Sentence example:

They want to impale the prisoners

Derivation:

impalement (the act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture)

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