piercing

1 of 2

adjective

pierc·​ing ˈpir-siŋ 

: penetrating: such as

a

: loud, shrill

piercing cries

b

: perceptive

piercing eyes

c

: penetratingly cold : biting

a piercing wind

d

: cutting, incisive

piercing sarcasm

piercingly

ˈpir-siŋ-lē 

adverb

piercing

2 of 2

noun

: a piece of jewelry (such as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh

Synonyms

Adjective

• biting
• bitter
• cutting
• keen
• penetrating
• raw
• sharp
• shrewd
• smarting
• stinging

Examples of piercing in a Sentence

Adjective

She looked at me with piercing eyes, and I was suddenly frightened that she knew what I had done.

I tried to avoid his piercing stare.

She felt a piercing sadness when she heard the news.

Noun

There's a small shop in town where they do tattooing and body piercing.

She got another ear piercing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Only Jean-Baptiste could make such a screed so funny, so piercing and so devastating. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2025

The two-story space offers a piercing and welding studio, as well as free engravings. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

Fairly certain none of us even noticed tattoos or piercings. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Every single song, from the Flamin’ Groovies opening cover to the Raconteurs and the White Stripes throwbacks, hit like an industrial piercing. —Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing piercing

• body piercing

Kids Definition

piercing

1 of 2 adjective

pierc·​ing

: having the ability to enter, pierce, or penetrate: as

a

: loud and shrill

piercing screams

b

: perceptive, keen

a piercing glance

c

: very cold

a piercing wind

piercingly

ˈpir-siŋ-lē

adverb

piercing

2 of 2 noun

: a piece of jewelry (as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh