harpoon
noun
a barbed, spearlike missile attached to a rope, and thrown by hand or shot from a gun, used for killing and capturing whales and large fish.
harpoon-like
-
a word derived from
harpoon.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Plus, an infected deer tick must keep its harpoon-like feeding tube in the bloodstream for 36 to 48 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026
When touched, these cells fire toxic harpoon-like tubes designed to paralyse prey, such as plankton and small fish.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Some mantis shrimp spear their victims with harpoon-like spines on the ends of their limbs up to 16 m.p.h.
From New York Times ● Oct. 31, 2016
He pierces its dorsal fin with the tip of a harpoon-like pole, the first step in fastening a tag.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 15, 2015
The dolphins and bonito were caught, the boy growing skilful in darting down the harpoon-like “grains,” the modern form of Neptune fish-spear.
From The Ocean Cat's Paw The Story of a Strange Cruise by W. S. (Walter S.) Stacey
