pierce

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pierce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pierce are enter, penetrate, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When might enter be a better fit than pierce?

While the synonyms enter and pierce are close in meaning, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is penetrate a more appropriate choice than pierce?

While in some cases nearly identical to pierce, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

Where would probe be a reasonable alternative to pierce?

The synonyms probe and pierce are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

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 pierce My first arrow had pierced his rib cage and then ripped through to lodge in a shoulder blade. Ray Alt, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2025 The dog's barks pierced through the apartment complex. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 During the semifinal, one of the broken ribs pierced her lung, collapsing it. Tim Genske, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 That, for me, is the only piercing message of this whole thing. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce
Verb
  • The therapy uses a combination of lasers and light treatments to penetrate the skin based on the severity of the acne.
    Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Atlantic has managed to uniquely penetrate the social zeitgeist with just plain journalism, which is rare.
    Sara Fischer, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For the study, the researchers drilled two-gram samples out of the inner walls of two vessel fragments excavated by Schliemann.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rover drilled the Cumberland sample from an area within a crater called Yellowknife Bay, which resembled an ancient lake bed.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Police said evidence found at the scene indicated the man was stabbed near a bus stop in the 100 block of 11th Street.
    Harry Harris, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said he was stabbed in the heart and died in his twin brother’s arms.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When Wade had entered the league, baggy, untucked dress shirts and oversize suits were the style on draft night; on game days, players draped 5XL sweat suits and Mitchell & Ness throwback jerseys over their lanky frames.
    D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The outspoken mother, who has clashed with Rock in the past, quickly went on to reiterate her desire for Blueface to enter a relationship with rap star Megan Thee Stallion, a hope that she’s expressed on previous occasions.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On April 25, 2000, Acosta, 49, was abducted by Michael Tanzi, a 23-year-old Massachusetts drifter who asked Acosta for a cigarette, punched her and threw her into her Plymouth Voyager van.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The Texas high school soccer UIL state semifinals are here, and several Fort Worth-area teams are looking to punch their tickets to a state championship.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the crash, something punctured Shiffrin’s side and caused severe trauma to her oblique muscles.
    Pat Graham, The Denver Post, 24 Mar. 2025
  • At the apex of the Western Conference standings sits the imposing Jets, who have run roughshod over all comers throughout the season and punctured the Canucks convincingly with a 6-1 victory in their only meeting of the year so far.
    Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The defendants did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment on April 2. OnlyFans is a social platform that allows users to subscribe to creators’ accounts and access exclusive content.
    Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The direct-to-consumer business model is fairly straightforward: A consumer orders a genetic test kit online, spits into a tube that comes in the mail, returns it to the company and accesses their results in an online portal.
    Kayte Spector-Bagdady, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Hector had been poking fun at Lisa’s special interest: Taylor Swift.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Carrick’s penalty proved costly, as neither Trocheck nor Braden Schneider could muscle Point away from poking a puck past Shesterkin’s pad.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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