Impale: meaning, definitions and examples

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impale

 

[ ษชmหˆpeษชl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

violent

To pierce or stab with a sharp object, typically a pointed weapon such as a spear or stake. The act of impaling is often associated with violence and brutality.

Synonyms

pierce, skewer, stab, transfix.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impale

This word is often used to describe the act of driving a sharp object through something, usually resulting in it being stuck onto the object. It can have a dramatic or violent connotation.

  • The knight was impaled by a spear during the battle
pierce

Pierce generally means making a hole or opening through something with a sharp edge. It's common in contexts involving needles, earrings, or other small sharp objects.

  • She decided to pierce her ears
stab

Stab is a sudden and forceful thrust with a sharp object, usually a knife. It often has a violent connotation and can refer to both real and figurative situations.

  • The detective investigated a case where the victim was stabbed
skewer

Skewer is often used in cooking when referring to threading pieces of food onto a long stick for grilling or roasting. It's typically not used in a violent context.

  • The chef skewered the vegetables for the BBQ
transfix

Transfix can mean to make someone motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment. It has both a literal and metaphorical usage, often creating a vivid or dramatic effect.

  • The audience was transfixed by the performer's incredible talent

Examples of usage

  • The vampire impaled his victim with a wooden stake.
  • The soldier was impaled by the enemy's sword during the battle.
Context #2 | Verb

graphic

To fix in a helpless position, as if being pierced. This definition is often used metaphorically to describe situations where someone feels trapped or unable to move.

Synonyms

fix, immobilize, pin down.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impale

Use 'impale' when referring to the act of piercing something through with a sharp object. This word often carries a violent or graphic connotation.

  • The knight was impaled by the enemy's spear
  • In horror movies, characters are sometimes impaled by various objects
immobilize

Use 'immobilize' when describing the act of preventing something or someone from moving. It often implies restraint or disarming, without a violent implication.

  • The doctor had to immobilize the patient's leg
  • The police managed to immobilize the suspect
fix

Use 'fix' when referring to making something stationary or secure it in place. It is a more general word and does not have violent connotations.

  • Please fix the picture to the wall
  • The technician fixed the broken machine
pin down

Use 'pin down' in situations where something or someone is being held down or restrained, often with physical force. This can also imply a situation where pressure is applied to get a commitment or answer.

  • The wrestler managed to pin down his opponent
  • She finally pinned him down to agree on a meeting time

Examples of usage

  • She felt impaled by the expectations of society.
  • His words impaled her heart with their cruelty.

Translations

Translations of the word "impale" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น empalar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเฅ‹เค‚เค• เคฆเฅ‡เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช aufspieรŸen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menikam

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะพะบะพะปัŽะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nadziewaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ชใๅˆบใ™๏ผˆใคใใ•ใ™๏ผ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท empaler

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ empalar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kazฤฑฤŸa oturtmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฟฐ๋šซ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุดูƒ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nabodnout

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ napichnรบลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅˆบ็ฉฟ (cรฌ chuฤn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nabosti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ stinga

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆะฐะฝัˆัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒ แƒญแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zษ™hmษ™t vermษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ empalar

Etymology

The word 'impale' has its origins in the Latin word 'impalare', meaning 'to push onto a stake'. The practice of impaling individuals as a form of execution or torture has a long history and has been used by various cultures throughout time. In literature and folklore, impaling is often associated with vampires and other mythical creatures.

See also: pale, paleness, paler, paling.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,451, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.