Definition of shanknext
slang
as in knife
an instrument with a metal length that has a sharp edge for cutting slashed at the prison guard with a shank he had secretly made from a scrap of metal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shank Mordecai If your dad loves baseball, take him to the bistro across from Wrigley Field for beef Wellington ($55), a lamb shank ($45) and an Old-Fashioned ($18). Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 The Cook County Sheriff's office said Medina was caught with a shank in jail last week. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Those charges may also be upgraded as authorities say he was caught in jail with a six-inch shank. Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 The Phase Evo includes a high-density comfort collar and a TPU shank for midfoot stability. Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shank
Noun
  • Officers spoke with Cisneros for about four minutes, repeatedly ordering her to drop the knives, according to Tisch.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As with those knives, the Helton has no plastics or resin-based composites, just premium metals like 6061 aluminum, stainless steel and phosphor bronze.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But Schlittler grooved a 95-mph cutter to Grissom in the seventh, and the Angels first baseman drove it over the center-field wall for a a 1-1 tie.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Using cutter and working with a few slices stacked together at a time, punch out enough rounds to fill bottom of pan.
    Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shank. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!