pinprick 1 of 2

as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument the nurse kindly put a decorated bandage over the pinprick from the injection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pinprick

2 of 2

verb

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 pinprick
Noun
Mothers agreed to share current blood samples and allow access to the pinprick blood spots that had been collected when they were born. E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025 The name Stacy Abrams, which appeared in the acknowledgments section of Wolff’s book, was another pinprick. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Device testing was conducted at a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya, where pinprick blood samples were examined for antibodies to measles and rubella. Helen Branswell, STAT, 25 Apr. 2018 Distorting drops of water pinpricked my face in the basin’s mirror. Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2017 See All Example Sentences for pinprick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinprick
Noun
  • The victim suffered a puncture wound on her left forearm and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 9 June 2025
  • Conroy, 37, wasn’t even sure where he was supposed to report the attack that left his dog Liam with a half-dozen puncture wounds and a $1,300 vet bill while the pair was out for a run on the Major Taylor Trail last fall.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • The doctor propped my chin in her slender hand, pricked the top of my nose twice, massaged the area for a few moments, and then added an additional drop to the side of my nose to help disguise the asymmetry.
    Alice Gregory, Vogue, 4 June 2025
  • Darker pigments like soot were pricked into their skin with needles tied together.
    Serena Billett, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • And yes, someone eventually thrust an infant into the arms of the governor.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025
  • Here, the hero encounters a monstrous Genma striking down a woman and he is thrust into battle in classic Onimusha fashion.
    Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • Svitolina, who had anticipated that kind of ball, knifed away a backhand winner to keep herself alive.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • Brunson knifed through the lane for a layup at the rim to put the Knicks up one with under a minute left, and Haliburton responded with a crossover on Brunson, then a dime to Andrew Nembhard to put the Pacers back up one.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pinprick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinprick. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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