Empale vs. Impale — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Sumaia Saeed — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 18, 2024
"Empale" is the incorrect spelling of "impale," which means to pierce or stab with a sharp point.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Empale or Impale
How to spell Impale?
Empale
Incorrect Spelling
Impale
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that "impale" includes the prefix "im-" which is often used in English to imply "into" or "upon," fitting since it involves thrusting into.
The word "impale" can be linked with similar violent or forceful words like "impact," which also begins with "im-."
Visualize the "i" in "impale" as the sharp point of a stake or spear to help recall the correct initial letter.
How Do You Spell Impale Correctly?
Incorrect: The knight intended to empale the dragon with his spear.
Correct: The knight intended to impale the dragon with his spear.
Incorrect: The fence was designed to empale anyone who tried to climb over it.
Correct: The fence was designed to impale anyone who tried to climb over it.
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Impale Definitions
To fix upon, or pierce through with, anything pointed.
The specimen was impaled on a pin for display.
To pierce through something with or as if with a pointed instrument.
She accidentally impaled her foot on a nail.
To make helpless as if pierced through.
The scandal impaled his career, leaving him unable to find work.
Transfix or pierce with a sharp instrument
His head was impaled on a pike and exhibited for all to see
Display (a coat of arms) side by side with another on the same shield, separated by a vertical line
The impaled arms of her husband and her father
To pierce with a sharp stake or point.
To torture or kill by impaling.
(transitive) To pierce (something) with any long, pointed object.
To place two coats of arms side by side on the same shield (often those of two spouses upon marriage).
(ambitransitive) To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake.
(ambitransitive) To enclose or fence with stakes.
To pierce with a pale; to put to death by fixing on a sharp stake. See Empale.
Then with what life remains, impaled, and leftTo writhe at leisure round the bloody stake.
To inclose, as with pales or stakes; to surround.
Impale him with your weapons round about.
Impenetrable, impaled with circling fire.
To join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention.
Ordered the admission of St. Patrick to the same to be matched and impaled with the blessed Virgin in the honor thereof.
Pierce with a sharp stake or point;
Impale a shrimp on a skewer
Kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole;
The enemies were impaled and left to die
In heraldry, to join two coats of arms side by side on a single shield.
The family's new coat of arms was impaled to show the marital union.
Impale Meaning in a Sentence
Children should not handle the skewers in case they accidentally impale themselves.
Archaeologists found ancient weapons used to impale enemies.
The bullfighter managed to impale the bull on his first attempt.
The hunter used a trap that could impale the bear.
The fisherman used a spear to impale fish in the shallow water.
He told tales of medieval knights who would impale their foes.
The documentary showed how certain tribes used to impale their enemies' heads.
The magician's trick involved pretending to impale his assistant.
The museum displayed medieval weapons used to impale opponents in battle.
He crafted a garden fence that was both decorative and functional, designed not to impale any creatures accidentally.
The fortress walls were built with outward-facing spikes to impale invaders.
Impale Idioms & Phrases
Impale the truth
To expose or reveal the truth in a striking way.
The whistleblower's evidence impaled the truth for all to see.
Impale on one's own sword
To be harmed by one's own actions or words.
Politically, he impaled himself on his own sword by promising things he could not deliver.
Impale one’s reputation
To seriously damage one’s standing or respectability.
The scandal impaled his reputation beyond repair.
Impale a heart
Figuratively to cause great emotional pain.
Her rejection impaled his heart more deeply than he expected.
Impale with a glance
To look at someone very sharply or piercingly.
She could impale you with a glance if you told a lie.
Impale upon one’s principles
To steadfastly adhere to one’s ethical standards.
Despite the temptations, she was impaled upon her principles.
Impale upon the facts
To be confronted with undeniable truths.
Her arguments were impaled upon the facts, leaving no room for doubt.
Impale on the stake of justice
To be punished or held accountable, often severely.
The corrupt officials were finally impaled on the stake of justice.
Impale on the spikes of envy
To be harmed by one’s own envy.
She was impaled on the spikes of envy, unable to enjoy her colleagues' successes.
Impale on public opinion
To be adversely affected by the general consensus.
His early popularity was impaled on public opinion after the policy failure.
Impale on the sharp edges of reality
To be harshly confronted by reality.
His idealistic views were impaled on the sharp edges of reality after he started working.
Impale with words
To hurt someone deeply using harsh or cutting words.
During the heated debate, he impaled his opponent with sharp words.
Impale the moment
To spoil or ruin a moment by a sudden action.
The sudden argument impaled the moment at the dinner party.
Impale the silence
To break the silence sharply, often with a loud sound.
The sudden scream impaled the silence of the night.
Impale on the altar of ambition
To sacrifice something valuable for personal gain.
Many have impaled their integrity on the altar of ambition.
Impale in tradition
To be rigidly fixed or confined by traditional practices.
The community, impaled in tradition, was reluctant to accept new ideas.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide impale into syllables?
Impale is divided into syllables as "im-pale."
What is a stressed syllable in impale?
The second syllable "pale" is stressed in "impale."
Why is it called impale?
"Impale" comes from the Middle French word "empaler," meaning to pierce with a pale or stake, reflecting the action of stabbing or piercing.
What is the root word of impale?
The root of "impale" is from the Middle French "empaler."
What is the verb form of impale?
"Impale" itself is the base form of the verb.
What is the second form of impale?
The second form of "impale" is "impaled."
What is the third form of impale?
The third form of "impale" is "impaled."
How is impale used in a sentence?
"Impale" is used to describe the action of piercing or stabbing with a sharp object.
What is another term for impale?
Another term for "impale" could be "pierce" or "stab."
What is the pronunciation of impale?
Impale is pronounced as /ɪmˈpeɪl/.
How many syllables are in impale?
"Impale" has two syllables.
What is the singular form of impale?
The singular form is "impale."
What is the plural form of impale?
The plural form is "impales" when used with a third person singular subject.
Is impale a noun or adjective?
"Impale" is a verb.
Is impale an abstract noun?
No, "impale" is a verb.
What is the first form of impale?
The first form of "impale" is "impale."
Is impale a collective noun?
No, "impale" is not a collective noun.
Is the word “impale” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Impale" can take a direct object, e.g., "impale the fruit."
What part of speech is impale?
"Impale" is a verb.
Which determiner is used with impale?
Determiners such as "the" can be used with "impale" when referring to specific objects or targets.
Which vowel is used before impale?
Typically, the article "the" can precede "impale," e.g., "the impale technique."
Is impale an adverb?
No, "impale" is not an adverb.
Is impale a vowel or consonant?
The word "impale" starts with a vowel.
Is the impale term a metaphor?
"Impale" can be used metaphorically to describe causing significant emotional or physical impact.
Is the word impale imperative?
"Impale" can be used as an imperative verb form, e.g., "Impale the meat on the skewer!"
Which preposition is used with impale?
Common prepositions used with "impale" include "on" (impale on a spike) and "with" (impale with a spear).
Which conjunction is used with impale?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used with "impale" depending on the sentence.
Which article is used with impale?
Articles such as "the" are commonly used with "impale" when referring to specific objects or actions, e.g., "the impale method."
What is the opposite of impale?
The opposite of "impale" could be "extract" or "remove."
Is impale a negative or positive word?
"Impale" generally has a negative connotation, associated with injury or violence.
Is impale a countable noun?
"Impale" is not a noun; it is a verb.
Is the word impale a Gerund?
The gerund form of "impale" is "impaling."
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Sumaia Saeed
