1
as in stabbed
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 ridiculed
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 skewered
Jon Talton, a former Arizona Republic columnist whose columns skewered and shepherded the development of his hometown of Phoenix through the early 2000s, has died.
—
Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump and Republicans skewered former President Joe Biden for releasing millions of immigrants into the country on humanitarian grounds.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
After McNair’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter pushed Westwood’s lead to 48-36, the Warriors skewered Vandegrift’s halfcourt trap, which led to several wide-open layups by Charlie Fry and their lead ballooning to as high as 17.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
Host Nikki Glaser opened with a monologue that skewered stars at the ceremony, though not as roughly as some past Golden Globes hosts have – cough, cough, looking at you, Ricky Gervais.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
As stars visibly braced themselves for their moment under her spotlight, Glaser’s 10-minute opening monologue was full of snappy, self-aware jokes that gently skewered every part of Hollywood, from its celebrities and movies to its media companies and obsession with staying young.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
However, the reboot has been skewered by critics.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
The film’s initial announcement skewered Hollywood's obsession with franchises in recent decades.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Everyone stood around the grill instead of at the table and essentially ate right off the grill, taking pieces of lavash and loading it up with meats and veggies that had been skewered and grilled on the open fire.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Dec. 2025
Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump and Republicans skewered former President Joe Biden for releasing millions of immigrants into the country on humanitarian grounds.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
After McNair’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter pushed Westwood’s lead to 48-36, the Warriors skewered Vandegrift’s halfcourt trap, which led to several wide-open layups by Charlie Fry and their lead ballooning to as high as 17.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
Host Nikki Glaser opened with a monologue that skewered stars at the ceremony, though not as roughly as some past Golden Globes hosts have – cough, cough, looking at you, Ricky Gervais.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
As stars visibly braced themselves for their moment under her spotlight, Glaser’s 10-minute opening monologue was full of snappy, self-aware jokes that gently skewered every part of Hollywood, from its celebrities and movies to its media companies and obsession with staying young.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
However, the reboot has been skewered by critics.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 25 Dec. 2025
The film’s initial announcement skewered Hollywood's obsession with franchises in recent decades.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Everyone stood around the grill instead of at the table and essentially ate right off the grill, taking pieces of lavash and loading it up with meats and veggies that had been skewered and grilled on the open fire.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skewered
Verb
-
The victim was stabbed multiple times in the back as the quarrel escalated, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Elordi strides naturally through the film’s burning-of-Atlanta orange sunscapes and its grasslands stabbed by obsidian spikes of rock.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.—
Meg Kinnard,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
And for that, he was ridiculed.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, researchers at Texas A&M University created a dynamic material that repairs itself after being punctured by shifting from a solid to a liquid state and back again.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How about the woman, believed to be a Chicago Public Schools teacher, who mocked Charlie Kirk’s assassination by using her hand like a gun and putting it to her neck?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some also mocked the add-on fees, including higher charges for larger items.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Williams introduces us to a woman who is pierced by the clarity of her vision.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Raha was one of them, killed by a bullet that pierced her lungs.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An agent in Massachusetts jabbed his finger and thumb into the neck and arteries of a young father who refused to be separated from his wife and 1-year-old daughter.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
-
As Webster repeatedly jabbed his finger, Rathbun met it with his left hand, as if trying to swat him away.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Youngblood picked it up, put his hand on the cover, and whispered a prayer in Latin.—
Matthew Bremner,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Owls, who will christen Mickey Dunn Stadium this weekend, were picked to finish third by Conference USA coaches.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The crucial employment snapshot is slightly delayed because of the brief government shutdown and will show whether the trajectory improved for the US labor market, which has been stuck in a low-hire and low-fire lull.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a high-speed rail proposal between Dallas and Fort Worth is stuck in limbo, stemming from objections to where a route would connect in Dallas, per KERA.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skewered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skewered. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
