dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈda-gər How to pronounce dagger (audio)
Synonyms of dagger
1
: a sharp pointed knife for stabbing
2
a
: something that resembles a dagger
b
: a character † used as a reference mark or to indicate a death date
daggerlike
ˈda-gər-ˌlīk How to pronounce dagger (audio)
adjective
see also:
at daggers drawn look daggers

Examples of dagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Discordant keys fly like daggers while snares trip over bass thuds; there’s a jazzy piano interlude, and then a murderous hard-rock siege razes the mix to the ground. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026 After the bar reopened as Hunter's on Halsted, the dagger was placed downstairs out of sight inside a wooden case. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Guard Austin Reaves hit a dagger three with 34 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a seven-point lead. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Despite the double-digit lead, TCU failed to deliver the dagger offensively and gave Baylor multiple chances to mount a comeback. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dagger

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dagger was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing dagger

Rhymes for dagger

See All Rhymes for dagger

Browse Nearby Words

Dagestan
dagger
daggerboard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dagger. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dagger

noun
dag·​ger ˈdag-ər How to pronounce dagger (audio)
1
: a short weapon for stabbing
2
: a symbol † used in printing as a reference mark to indicate a death date

More from Merriam-Webster on dagger

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dagger

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dagger

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