stonefish

noun

stone·​fish ˈstōn-ˌfish How to pronounce stonefish (audio)
: any of several small spiny venomous bony fishes (family Synanceiidae, especially genus Synanceja) common about coral reefs of the tropical Indo-Pacific

Illustration of stonefish

Illustration of stonefish

Examples of stonefish 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.
The stonefish is a master of camouflage and often hides itself in coral and rocky reefs. — Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 9 Aug. 2023 The stonefish produces intense vasoconstriction. — Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 19 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stonefish was in 1896

Rhymes for stonefish

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stone fence
stonefish
stone fly
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Cite this Entry

“Stonefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stonefish. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stonefish

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