spear-carrier

noun

spear-car·​ri·​er ˈspir-ˌker-ē-ər How to pronounce spear-carrier (audio)
-ˌka-rē-
Synonyms of spear-carriernext
1
a
: a member of an opera chorus
b
: a bit actor in a play
2
: a person whose actions are of little significance or value in an event or organization

Examples of spear-carrier 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.
Simpson emerged as a spear-carrier for Social Security benefit cuts in 2010, when he was appointed the GOP co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, established by Barack Obama as a sop to conservative deficit hawks. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spear-carrier was in 1953

Rhymes for spear-carrier

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Browse Nearby Words

spear
spear-carrier
speareye
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Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Spear-carrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spear-carrier. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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