pounce

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈpau̇n(t)s 

: the claw of a bird of prey

pounce

2 of 5

verb (1)

pounced; pouncing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons

b

: to seize upon and make capital of something (such as another's blunder or an opportunity)

2

: to make a sudden assault or approach

pounce

3 of 5

noun (2)

: the act of pouncing

pounce

4 of 5

verb (2)

pounced; pouncing

transitive verb

: to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce

pounce

5 of 5

noun (3)

1

: a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading

2

: a fine powder for making stenciled patterns

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• assail
• assault
• attack
• beset
• bushwhack
• charge
• descend (on or upon)
• go in (on)
• jump (on)
• raid
• rush
• set on
• sic
• sick
• storm
• strike
• trash
• turn (on)

Examples of pounce in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the muggers pounced on the unsuspecting tourists as soon as they rounded the corner

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Bears aggressively pounced, guaranteeing the 31-year-old $28.5 million in a three-year, $43.5 million deal. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

When the interested parties in England backed away last year — and Brentford were not alone in declaring an interest — Leipzig quietly pounced, signing the youngster for €21million (£17.6m; $22.9m) in August 2024. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

Noun

An American eagle, talons out to pounce on prey, compellingly highlights the contributions of Native Americans. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025

The goal is to open a sustained window of contention and pounce on legitimate opportunities to win divisions, pennants and championships. —Tim Britton, The Athletic, 26 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, punching tool, dagger, talon — more at punch

Verb (2)

Middle French poncer, from ponce

Noun (3)

French ponce pumice, from Middle French, from Late Latin pomic-, pomex, alteration of Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1535, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pounce

• bounce
• flounce
• ounce
• announce
• denounce
• pronounce
• renounce

Kids Definition

pounce

verb

ˈpau̇n(t)s

pounced; pouncing

1

: to swoop down on and seize something

a cat waiting to pounce

2

: to make a sudden assault or approach

a clerk pounced on me immediately

pounce noun