1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loud
marked by a high volume of sound
the frightened child emitted a piercing shriek that could be heard all over the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in penetrating
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 piercing
Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
The higher strings aren’t quite as piercing but still shine through.
—PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
The two-story space offers a piercing and welding studio, as well as free engravings.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
The higher strings aren’t quite as piercing but still shine through.
—PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
Her movements were understated and free, her presence magnetic — graceful twirls one moment, piercing eye contact the next.
—Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
There is a place to scamper inside to escape the biting winds at Nordkapp — a visitor center with a coffee shop, theater, small museum and continental Europe’s northernmost post office.—
Dan Fellner,
AZCentral.com,
6 July 2025
-
Share the research from 30 years ago that concludes these devices do not significantly reduce mosquito or biting insect populations.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The brands that stand out aren’t louder—they’re the ones willing to hand something over.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Attempt to frighten away coyotes by making loud noises (e.g., shouting, air horn) and acting aggressively (e.g., waving your arms, throwing sticks, spraying with a hose).—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The thermal conductivity of the lunar surface acts as a blanket and stops some of the sun’s heat from penetrating into the ground.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Every lifestyle guru worth watching has some uniquely irrepressible quality, from the Martha-like obsessiveness with which Gwyneth approaches wellness to Oprah’s talent for penetrating conversation.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
There were no bitter comments blaming liberal forest-management policies.—
Nick Allardice,
Time,
10 July 2025
-
Public records show the home belongs to former Councilman Bill Sanders, who ran for mayor and lost last year after a years-long history of bitter clashes with other city officials and staff.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yet given the league and many of its most prominent players' presence in social justice efforts, their silence around the violence being fueled by Rwanda and the UAE is all the more deafening.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
-
That visual message was audibly reinforced at a deafening level as the crowd cheered their neighbors who spoke against the proposal and booed a NIPSCO official and other business leaders who spoke in favor of it.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The reeling Heat put together a quality effort against the talented Celtics, entering halftime with the score tied at 50 and entering the fourth quarter trailing by just one point.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share