puncture 1 of 2

as in prick
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument a leak caused by several small punctures in the rubber gasket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

puncture

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 puncture
Noun
Clinical trials are also underway for a far less invasive, more accessible treatment that would achieve the same thing by tapping into blood vessels via a small puncture in the thigh or groin. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025 The resulting puncture impaired the wounded galaxy’s subsequent star-making abilities. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2025
Verb
The tip of the right engine propeller blade separated and punctured the plane's fuselage, seriously injuring a passenger, according to the FAA. Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025 The punctum keeps returning, no matter how hard Dyer tries to puncture it. Book Marks july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for puncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture
Verb
  • The bullet pierced that victim’s left thigh, exiting then lodging in her right thigh.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 22 July 2025
  • Reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer; simmer over low, covered, until broth mixture has thickened and steaks are tender when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour, stirring gravy and turning steaks every 15 minutes.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were stabbed to death in the middle of the night at their off-campus residence.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • Kernodle died from lacerations to her heart and lungs, and she had been stabbed more than 50 times.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Laws adds that this space is right off the white-wallpapered living room, so walking into it brings an unexpected visual punch.
    Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • My partner called out numbers on the spot, with each number representing a punch.
    Elise Devlin, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Once the first seven vertebrae are drilled, Ross takes over on the left side to drill holes on the same vertebrae on the opposite side of the spinal cord.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
  • However, the noise could be caused by a woodpecker drilling on the gutters or near to one of them.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • Likely to jab at the president as a public fallout between the two over Trump’s spending bill boiled over.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • The man jabbed the machete fully into his car toward his face.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • Gwen Duggins, whose daughter Kiah Duggins was on the American Airlines plane, was one of many seen wiping tears from their eyes while listening to the audio of the flight radio transmissions.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • Haaland went on an absolute tear, scoring 11 goals in seven games—including a pair of hat tricks—before making his Champions League debut in September 2019 against Genk, the Belgian side.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • This review pokes a useful hole in the breathless reception this film received, while managing to feel fond.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
  • The dish is almost a tease, tickling and poking you by showcasing carrots such that here a confident argument is made to herald them in as the pre-eminent salad vegetable.
    Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • My open squad especially looks better than my ADP team picks now that the troubling timeline for Joe Mixon’s injury has been reported.
    Jay Felicio, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Luckily, the Lions’ defense picked them up by not allowing a touchdown despite the Chargers starting with the ball at the Lions’ five-yard line.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on puncture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!