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 When recovered, the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing standard body armor and ready to fire, with the scope caps flipped open, the selector lever set to fire and a round chambered. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025 Infrared instruments in space are ideal for piercing through dust and gas to see some of the universe’s oldest stars and galaxies, which would otherwise be obscured from view. Denise Chow, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025 Prosecutors said the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing body armor, with the scope caps open, and was ready to fire. Jack Date, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025 In Hard Truths, Leigh comes back to the modern world with tough, piercing frankness. Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce
Verb
  • Sometimes, the most biting and penetrating films are the ones that poke fun at society’s absurdities—a dynamic that Mark Mylod fully understood with The Menu.
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Heavy precipitation events often cause soil runoff and don’t penetrate the ground as well as consistent rainfall over several days.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With the Raptors down two points in the game’s waning moments, the senior point guard stole an inbound pass and proceeded to drill a running floater to tie the game with five seconds left.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This scandal emerged after two oil tycoons bribed then-Interior Secretary Albert Fall, a friend of theirs, to secure contracts to drill on federal land at Teapot Dome, Wyoming. Daugherty, although aware of this improper activity, refused to have the Department of Justice investigate.
    Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During episode 1, the police show Jamie, Eddie and their attorney a closed-circuit video of Jamie stabbing Katie in the parking lot where her body was later found.
    Jessica Sager, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Angga alleged that he and other workers on his ship were frequently beaten and stabbed with a needle, and were often given only rice to eat.
    Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Jennie entered the top 10 in 19 different countries – hitting No. 2 in Australia and Korea and No. 3 in the UK.
    Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
  • On the first visit, Jones took photos from inside the building of the window that the thieves used to enter the palace.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The trio screamed as the team made it through, with the royal grabbing van Cutsem's face at one point, and punching the air.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Augustin is alleged to have then continued his aggression, punching and kicking the seat and the passenger in front of him.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the market has largely taken care of this, puncturing all of the most popular premises entering 2025: U.S. exceptionalism, bearishness on bonds and a belief that the market could broaden in a smooth and painless way.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Instead of Jimmy Kimmel, a memorable host in the recent past with a keen appreciation for puncturing pretensions, there is Conan O’Brien who, while familiar, remains an unknown quantity in how politically barbed his opening monologue might be.
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In return, holders can access Switzerland's impeccable infrastructure, banking sector, and visa-free Schengen travel.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The information accessed included students’ names, dates of birth, gender, student identification numbers and even Medicaid identification numbers and dates of eligibility for those enrolled in the federal program.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This occurs as bright points of light appear when sunlight pokes through valleys and mountain ridges on the moon, just before or after the period of totality.
    Brett Tingley, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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