impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpāl 

impaled; impaling

transitive verb

1

a

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

especially : to torture or kill by fixing on a sharp stake

b

: to fix in an inescapable or helpless position

2

: to join (coats of arms) on a heraldic shield divided vertically by a pale

impalement

im-ˈpāl-mənt 

noun

impaler

im-ˈpā-lər 

noun

Synonyms

• gore
• harpoon
• jab
• lance
• peck
• pick
• pierce
• pink
• puncture
• run through
• skewer
• spear
• spike
• spit
• stab
• stick
• transfix
• transpierce

Examples of impale in a Sentence

impale a marshmallow or two on that stick and let's start toasting

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a creepy hitchhiker, a girl who becomes impaled by a meat hook, and graveyard vandalism, all told in a grainy, documentary style (including a series of unsettling radio reports and opening narration). —Sydney Bishop, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024

Turns out, Agatha was pushing her down to save her from being impaled by a sword. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024

The horse got spooked and impaled itself on a fence. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 Oct. 2024

But just then, a lightning bolt hits a tree branch and sends it crashing to the ground, and when Gracie drops the knife, Eve shoves her — and Gracie is fatally impaled on a jagged branch. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French empaler, from Medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- + palus stake — more at pole

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

impale

verb

im·​pale im-ˈpā(ə)l 

impaled; impaling

: to pierce with or as if with something pointed

impalement

-mənt 

noun

impaler

-ər 

noun