Spared vs. Speared — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
"Spared" means to refrain from harming or using, while "Speared" refers to being pierced with a spear or similar object. Both are past tense verbs with distinct meanings.
Difference Between Spared and Speared
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Key Differences
The words "Spared" and "Speared" may sound similar phonetically, but their meanings diverge significantly. "Spared" typically implies that something or someone was saved from harm, trouble, or a specific situation. For example, when we say a city was spared from a storm, we mean the storm did not adversely affect it.
In contrast, "Speared" evokes an image of an object or individual being pierced or impaled, usually with a spear or a similar sharp instrument. A fish being caught with a spear or a piece of fruit being pierced by a fork can be described as being "speared."
Furthermore, while "Spared" emanates a sense of mercy or fortune, suggesting a prevention of potential harm or inconvenience, "Speared" conveys a direct action that has a physical impact. It's the difference between omission (not doing something) and commission (actively doing something).
It's also essential to note the context in which each word is used. "Spared" is often utilized in scenarios discussing relief, preservation, or conservation. Meanwhile, "Speared" is commonly found in contexts related to hunting, cooking, or any situation where a piercing action is involved.
Lastly, the derivatives of these words maintain their core meanings. For instance, "sparing" denotes being economical or avoiding waste, whereas "spear" as a noun represents a long, sharp weapon or tool.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To save or refrain from using/harming.
To pierce with a spear or similar object.
Grammatical Role
Past tense verb.
Past tense verb.
Contextual Use
Often used in relief or preservation scenarios.
Common in hunting, cooking, or where piercing action is needed.
Nature
Reflects omission or inaction.
Indicates a direct action.
Associated Concepts
Mercy, fortune, conservation.
Hunting, impaling, piercing.
Compare with Definitions
Spared
Given mercy to.
The king spared the rebel's life.
Speared
Impaled on any pointed object.
She speared a piece of fruit with her fork.
Spared
Avoided causing inconvenience to.
I spared her the details of the accident.
Speared
Caught or taken using a spear.
He speared a fish from the river.
Spared
Saved from harm or trouble.
The village was spared from the flood.
Speared
Targeted or singled out.
The comedian felt he was always speared by critics.
Spared
Refrained from using or spending.
He spared no expense for the party.
Speared
Stuck or prodded with a sharp tool.
He accidentally speared his finger with the needle.
Spared
To refrain from harming, injuring, destroying, or killing
The general spared the city from a bombardment.
Speared
A weapon consisting of a long shaft with a sharply pointed end.
Spared
To leave undamaged or unharmed
The oldest trees in the forest were spared from the fire.
Speared
A shaft with a sharp point and barbs for spearing fish.
Spared
To refrain from denouncing or distressing; treat leniently or with consideration
The teacher spared the student's feelings by not criticizing her.
Speared
A soldier armed with a spear.
Spared
To allow (someone) to avoid experiencing or doing (something)
Spared myself the trouble of going to the store.
Speared
A slender stalk, as of asparagus.
Spared
To hold back from; withhold or avoid
Spared no expense for the celebration.
Speared
To pierce with a spear or other sharp object.
Spared
To use or supply with restraint
Don't spare the mustard.
Speared
To catch with a thrust of the arm
Spear a grounder.
Spared
To give or grant out of one's resources; afford
Can you spare ten minutes?.
Speared
(Football) To block (an opponent) by ramming with the helmet, in violation of the rules.
Spared
Kept in reserve
Spare parts.
Speared
(Sports) To jab (an opponent) with the blade of a hockey stick, in violation of the rules.
Spared
Being in excess of what is needed; extra
Spare cash.
Speared
To stab at something with a spear or other sharp object.
Spared
Free for other use; unoccupied
Spare time.
Speared
To sprout like a spear.
Spared
Not lavish, abundant, or excessive; meager
A spare breakfast.
Speared
Simple past tense and past participle of spear
Spared
Lean and trim
A runner with a spare figure.
Speared
Pierced with a spear.
The warrior speared the charging beast.
Spared
Not elaborate or ornate; simple
A writer's spare style.
Spared
A replacement, especially a tire, reserved for future need.
Spared
The act of knocking down all ten pins with two successive rolls of a bowling ball.
Spared
The score so made.
Spared
Simple past tense and past participle of spare
Spared
Kept as excess or surplus.
I spared some money for the trip.
Common Curiosities
Can food items be "Speared"?
Yes, food can be speared, as in spearing olives with a toothpick.
Is "Speared" only related to using a spear?
No, "Speared" can refer to being pierced by any pointed object.
Can "Spared" relate to conservation?
Yes, "Spared" can mean conserving or refraining from using something.
Can "Spared" imply avoiding an inconvenience?
Yes, you might "spare" someone the details to avoid burdening them.
Can "Speared" be used figuratively?
Yes, it can mean targeting or singling out, as in feeling "speared" by criticism.
Is "Spared" passive in nature?
Often, "Spared" implies inaction or avoidance, making it passive in many contexts.
Can an object be "Speared"?
Yes, anything that can be pierced or impaled can be "speared."
Can "Spared" imply mercy?
Yes, "Spared" can indicate showing mercy, as in sparing someone's life.
Can "Spared" mean to keep extra?
Yes, if you "spared" some change, you kept some extra.
Is "Speared" limited to hunting scenarios?
No, it can also relate to cooking, sewing, or any context involving piercing.
Does "Spared" reflect action?
It reflects inaction or omission, such as not causing harm.
Does "Spared" always imply a positive outcome?
Generally, but not always. Context matters.
Can buildings be "Spared"?
Yes, as in a building being spared from demolition or a natural disaster.
Is "Speared" aggressive in connotation?
Often, given its association with piercing and hunting, "Speared" can have aggressive connotations.
Can "Speared" imply a sudden action?
Yes, like the swift act of spearing a fish.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
