skewer

1 of 2

noun

skew·​er ˈskyü-ər 

ˈskyu̇r

1

: a pin of wood or metal for fastening meat to keep it in form while roasting or to hold small pieces of meat or vegetables for broiling

2

: any of various things shaped or used like a meat skewer

skewer

2 of 2

verb

skewered; skewering; skewers

transitive verb

1

: to fasten or pierce with or as if with a skewer

2

: to criticize or ridicule sharply and effectively

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of skewer in a Sentence

Verb

let's skewer our marshmallows on these sticks and start toasting

the satirical comic strip gleefully skewers many of society's sacred cows

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Move the skewers to the hold side of thegrill, cover the grill, and cook until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 10 minutes. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 12 May 2025

Garnish with a thin cucumber ribbon, threaded onto a skewer. 7. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025

Verb

Even with Ted Lasso on hiatus, Apple TV+ continues to be a presence in this category; no doubt, voters loved seeing Hollywood execs (and egomaniacal stars) get skewered on the streamer's movie-industry satire, The Studio. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025

An automaker would normally be skewered for having 100 days of supply on the ground, but that's a huge asset right now and buys you time. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skeuier

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skewer

• bluer
• breuer
• brewer
• couper
• ewer
• fewer
• fluor
• hewer
• newer
• sewer
• truer
• viewer

Kids Definition

skewer

1 of 2 noun

skew·​er ˈskyü-ər 

ˈskyu̇(-ə)r

1

: a long pin for keeping meat in form while roasting or for holding small pieces of meat and vegetables for broiling

2

: something shaped or used like a meat skewer

skewer

2 of 2 verb

: to fasten or pierce with or as if with a skewer