as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lance
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024
This week, an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
Multiply the rain’s lances, multiply their ruin, the grace born from subtraction as the hold’s iron door
rolled over their eyes like pots left out in the rain,
and the bolt rammed home its echo, the way that thunder-
claps perpetuate their reverberation.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
Friday, when Lebanese officials say two Israeli missiles lanced through the Zahra family‘s three-story building.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024
This week, an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
-
Veterinarians pulled a bent metal spear about 5-feet long that had become embedded in the bull elephant’s foot pad, according to a May 18 Facebook post from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
-
Families experience so much personality, especially when partaking in the free Warriors Academy day in the life experience, which includes instruction in throwing a spear, shooting a bow and arrow, making fire in the bush, and visiting a local village.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
AFAR Media,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
After slaughtering the other contenders and attacking students at the dance, Dan is unmasked after Lori stabs him in the eye with her crown.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
In Spanish-language drama A Widow's Game, based on a true story, a young woman becomes the primary suspect in the stabbing death of her husband.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Delap had been a javelin thrower in his youth, becoming local champion for his athletics club in Carlisle.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
The Kansas City native excelled in high school track and field as a shot putter, and threw the discus and javelin.—
Bruce Feldman,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Big Red punctured the scoreboard first when sophomore attackman Ryan Waldman dodged the left alley and scored with 10:38 left in the first quarter.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
26 May 2025
-
Memories linger from past hurricanes with limbs puncturing roofs, car windows smashed and lives disrupted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
The branch, described as having fallen approximately 50 feet, pierced the attic, roof, and dented the floor of the room.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
But the director maintains a strong level of realistic tension, sticking to Camille’s side as the boy takes plenty of blows but dishes out plenty as well, jabbing his way towards a form of self-realization.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
-
Donald Trump continues to jab Taylor Swift over Super Bowl During press interviews for Super Bowl 59, Mahomes' teammate and Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce stoked controversy for praising Trump's plans to attend the two-time reigning champ's big game against the Philadelphia Eagles.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Best new cars in 2025: See Consumer Reports' top picks for reliability, safety and moreNeed a break?—
Nora Eckert,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
-
Situations like, how to thread the needle between multiple dietary restrictions, or how to pick a menu that can be made days in advance so hosts can save their energy for the party itself.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Philips sticked away a backhand attempt by Minnesota’s Brooke McQuigge just 35 seconds into overtime, with the Frost forward getting loose in front of the Ottawa net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
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An animated Wheel Of Time, for instance, could stick closer to the source material while costing a fraction of what a live-action series costs.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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