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

In a turn that remains shocking to this day, Hanna Hall brings incredible depth to young Cecilia Lisbon, who flings herself from her upstairs window and gets impaled on the fence below. —Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025

First, there’s whatever sadistic fates the filmmakers have in mind for the characters, from being impaled by a forklift to having their faces plunged into the propeller of the Staten Island Ferry. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025

The jaws swing outward in a fast arc, impaling the prey and keeping it suspended at a safe distance. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Come to find, that spiral horn isn’t merely decorative, but doubles as a gnarly weapon, with which these two larger and far more intimidating-looking unicorns impale their prey. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for impale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

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