1
2
as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
incised the tree with a sharp ax to get the sap flowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incise
The coroner ruled Carol’s cause of death as hypovolemia, which is when the plasma is too low from excessive bleeding; multiple stab and incised wounds from a sharp instrument; and a blunt force injury that fractured the skull, according to the coroner’s report.
—
Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
The stick and stone represent yes or no, while the leaf cards, which are specially incised with certain meanings, offer further clarification.
—Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Ehrlich mines her treasure trove to create jewels imbued with the presence of the past, molding, for example, bronze age Viking bracelets in wax, incising them with enigmatic marks and casting them in 18-karat gold or sterling silver.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incise
Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
The stick and stone represent yes or no, while the leaf cards, which are specially incised with certain meanings, offer further clarification.
—Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Ehrlich mines her treasure trove to create jewels imbued with the presence of the past, molding, for example, bronze age Viking bracelets in wax, incising them with enigmatic marks and casting them in 18-karat gold or sterling silver.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incise
Verb
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Some had characteristic ticks etched along their outer edges, while others looked like small sticks cut lengthwise, with a flat and a curved side—forms that their makers crafted deliberately to produce random outcomes.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
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At a minimum, the MATCH Act would enact a China-wide ban on the export of DUV machines and tools required to etch the pattern drawn by the machines.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nicholson repeatedly stabbed her and slit her throat before stuffing her into a large plastic bin with her arms and legs sticking out, Porter said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Brandt said Josiah Redman is buried under the dog marker, which does not have a name inscribed.—
Jennie Key,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Mar. 2026
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The leitmotifs of her wide-ranging West Elm collection are literally inscribed on Chamberlain’s body in the form of tattoos.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The terse staff will slice a rectangular piece of pizza for you from a long slab, wrap it in paper, and send you on your way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Those threats include boat strikes from propellers slicing through shells, being caught in fishing nets, shoreline development, tree removal reducing natural cover, de-icing bubblers that give otters access to hibernating turtles, and climate change.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The white-gold indices, also hand-engraved, and star trails, evoking the night sky, are joined by 18-karat-pink-gold hands, a visible flying-tourbillon cage, a dual-register split-seconds flyback chronograph, and a semi-Gregorian perpetual calendar.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
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Less than six months after Cesar Chavez died, his family members were in Santa Ana engraving their names in cement during a groundbreaking for Cesar Chavez Continuation High School.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The brewing dispute centers on the 40-home Hidden Valley Ranch development currently being carved into a series of hillsides on Poway’s northern end near the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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He was supposed to be a legend carved in marble.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The other cost-slashing option that is seldom practiced is the simulcast in which the radio network broadcasts the TV announcers, a path the Dallas Stars have preferred for decades.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incise. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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