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

Women also play a leading role in the current Parisian restaurant scene, where chicken heart skewers and Lebanese milk pudding are as much a part of the city's culinary fabric as steak frites and Paris-Brest. —Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024

Its heat caresses a skewer of marshmallow-tender veal sweetbreads shining beneath a lip-sticky demi-glace. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024

Verb

While mainly skewering the support being garnered for Mangione and his actions, the cold open also does a great job of poking fun of social media itself and the cesspool its become. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2024

Stewart then segued into skewering Trump’s mass deportation policy, a topic tackled by fellow late-night host John Oliver just yesterday. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024

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

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