1
as in to penetrate
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of pierce
Each episode includes a big bang of truth, a reveal that disrupts not just Chloe’s flawless façade but also pierces her own sense of self and keeps viewers guessing about what’s coming next.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 May 2025
Via piercing dark humor — including cheeky thoughts from Jonathan’s mind as on-screen text sprinkled throughout — Benaim and writer-director Daniel Poler defy sanctimonious societal expectations imposed on individuals living with physical disabilities.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Rowan, an ear piercing and hypoallergenic jewelry studio backed by a medical advisory board, is set for a July opening in a 939-square-foot store.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Jones was then shot in the face by a bullet that pierced both cheeks.
—John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pierce
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 May 2025
Via piercing dark humor — including cheeky thoughts from Jonathan’s mind as on-screen text sprinkled throughout — Benaim and writer-director Daniel Poler defy sanctimonious societal expectations imposed on individuals living with physical disabilities.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Rowan, an ear piercing and hypoallergenic jewelry studio backed by a medical advisory board, is set for a July opening in a 939-square-foot store.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Jones was then shot in the face by a bullet that pierced both cheeks.
—John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce
Verb
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Part of identifying suspicious travelers relies on noticing behaviors such as fidgeting or having a penetrating stare, which government watchdogs and some lawmakers have criticized in the past as an unreliable basis for probable cause.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Research shows that castor oil's omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids may penetrate the hair follicle (found in the scalp) and provide nutrients that protect the hair.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Chisholm, fresh off the injured list following an oblique strain, drilled Tanner Bibee’s first pitch of the frame at 105.7 mph.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
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Bryant continued making timely plays by drilling a corner 3 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter, his second of the night, to push Indiana’s lead to 11 points.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has tried for months to find a Boise man — accused of stabbing his roommate to death — competent enough to stand trial for his first-degree murder charge.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
6 June 2025
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Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 Plantar fasciitis, which is usually characterized by a stabbing sensation in your heel or arch, is another common source of discomfort for runners.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Lembas is a new peptide ingredient company that enters the market today with intentions of partnering with CPG brands to create food products that target the GLP-1 hormone.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Some of them enter through O’Hare, but most are shipped to ports on the West Coast, and then delivered by rail to the Illinois warehouse or sent to customers.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Verb
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When the victim initially resisted, the suspect kicked and punched him and forcibly grabbed a wad of cash from the vehicle, police said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
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The inmate told prison staff that around 4:30 p.m. on March 7, two other inmates came into his cell, tied him up, kicked and punched him and poked him with a knife, police said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The dura can be damaged from head injuries or punctured during surgical procedures involving the sinuses, brain or spine, such as lumbar puncture, epidurals, spinal anesthesia or myelogram.—
Danielle Wilhour,
The Conversation,
28 May 2025
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That is why dropping a game in this fashion punctures the soul.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Visitors can only access the beach by boat, which takes about 30 minutes to an hour.—
Acacia Gabriel,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
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This really helps because a lot of hackers access sites from other areas in the world.—
Skip Sanzeri,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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That victory put O’Malley back in the rankings. O’Malley’s next bout ended in a no contest, when an eye poke in the second round left Pedro Munhoz unable to continue.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev poked fun at the explosive war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, offering to mediate peace between the two political allies.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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