stabbed
word · lemma: stab
Definition
Past tense and past participle of 'stab'. It means to push a knife or other sharp object into someone or something, and it can also be used figuratively for a sudden sharp pain or emotional hurt.
Usage & Nuances
Usually describes a violent action with a knife or sharp object, so it is strong and serious. Common patterns include 'was stabbed', 'stabbed him in the arm', and figurative uses like 'a stabbed feeling in my side' are less common than 'a stabbing pain'. For emotional meaning, English more often says 'betrayed' than 'stabbed' unless using the idiom 'stabbed in the back'.
Example Sentences
The man was stabbed in the leg.
basic
She stabbed the potato with a fork.
basic
I felt a sharp pain that stabbed my side.
basic
He got stabbed outside a bar last night.
natural
I accidentally stabbed myself with the scissors.
natural
When she lied to me again, it felt like she had stabbed me in the back.
natural