1
as in to penetrate
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of pierce
Remove the foil and continue to bake until the lasagna is tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, the cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.
—
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
That could foster a political culture where wrongdoing still carries a price and where truth can pierce through the noise long enough for the public to hear it.
—Brandon Rottinghaus, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026
Further investigation indicated that the gunfire came from outside the residence and pierced through the window.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Next, put on your earring, piercing through the bandage before securing the back of the earring.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce
Verb
-
The watershed also is situated on relatively flat, low-lying and porous terrain, enabling higher tides to penetrate deeper into the freshwater marshes through the vast network of canals that holds the watershed together.—
-
Massaging it into the scalp helps stimulate circulation and allows the product to penetrate more effectively.—
Verb
-
Jennings made the throw while getting drilled by All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was flagged for roughing the passer.—
-
Also in attendance are two representatives from M-Tex’s insurance firm, Blanton — the same group that previously warned of legal action unless the company used its $400 million insurance payout to drill a new offshore well.—
Verb
-
The woman who was stabbed is in stable condition, and the man is in critical condition, the spokesperson said.—
-
Early the following morning, Anaheim police officers responded to the intersection of Santa Ana and Helena streets after witnesses reported seeing two men chasing Reyes and one of them stabbing him.—
Verb
-
The biggest ovation of the night came when Keon Ellis, who has fallen out of the rotation despite being one of the team’s best defenders and 3-point shooters, entered the game for the first time at the start of the fourth quarter.—
-
According to the report, a Nissan Pathfinder driven by Wesley Jordan, 77, of Prairie Grove entered the roadway attempting to turn left when a westbound Dodge Ram struck Jordan's vehicle.—
Verb
-
One defensive stop later, and the Hurricanes clinched their 31-27 win over the Rebels to punch their ticket into the national championship game.—
-
The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.—
Verb
-
Researchers in Mexico have developed a revolutionary zinc-air battery (ZAB) that keeps running even after being punctured, exposed to flames, or even completely submerged in water.—
-
Their necks were broken and they were dragged away to the bush to be impaled, their bowels punctured.—
Verb
-
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension accuses the FBI of blocking it from accessing evidence in the investigation.—
-
Simply head to the site and make an account using your email address to access the savings.—
Verb
-
The actress hasn't spoken publicly about her dating life, aside from a few TikTok videos poking fun at her singleness.—
-
Continue reading … POLITICS POLITICAL THEATER – Vance reposts meme poking fun at Democrats' Jan 6 candlelight vigil.—
Cite this Entry
“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share