stab

About 1.55 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun An act of stabbing or thrusting with an object to hurt or kill someone.
2. noun A wound made by stabbing.
3. noun Pain inflicted on a person's feelings.
4. noun An attempt.

   I'll give this thankless task a stab.

5. noun Criticism.
6. noun A single staccato chord that adds dramatic impact to a composition.

   a horn stab

7. noun A bacterial culture made by inoculating a solid medium, such as gelatin, with the puncture of a needle or wire.
8. verb To pierce or to wound (somebody) with a (usually pointed) tool or weapon, especially a knife or dagger.

   If you stab him in the heart he won't live long enough to retaliate.

Similar words

jab prod poke knife thrust dig knife thrust impale pierce puncture

Often followed by

of at wounds in him wound the me her

Word family

stabbed stabber stabbers stabbing stabs