Synonyms of pierce

pierce

verb

ˈpirs 

1

as in to penetrate

to go or come in or into

thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• penetrate
• enter
• access
• set foot in
• step into
• invade
• burst (in or into)
• breeze (in)
• drop in
• pop (in)
• infiltrate
• encroach
• trespass
• intrude
• stray (into)
• waltz (in)
• infringe
• wander (into)
• barge (in)
• gate-crash
• crash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• depart
• exit

2

as in to drill

to make a hole or series of holes in

pierced his ears with a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drill
• punch
• poke
• puncture
• perforate
• bore
• hole
• penetrate
• tap
• cut
• riddle
• prick
• break
• broach
• excavate
• slash
• hollow
• split
• slit
• gouge
• rend
• prickle
• rupture
• burrow (into)
• groove
• notch
• gash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• patch
• seal
• plug

3

as in to stab

to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object

the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stab
• puncture
• pick
• jab
• stick
• peck
• impale
• spit
• lance
• spear
• transfix
• poke
• pink
• skewer
• spike
• harpoon
• run through
• slice
• punch
• gore
• perforate
• transpierce
• cut
• knife
• thrust
• prick
• spindle
• pike
• riddle
• bayonet
• poniard
• prong
• quill
• pinprick
• gimlet
• dirk

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

Recent Examples of pierce

Poignant questions hang in the air: Can Orpheus’s love pierce the darkness and bring Eurydice home? —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

The five-year-old ear-piercing studio is opening a fleet of units this year both in new and existing markets, bringing its store count to 40 by the end of the year. —Layla Ilchi, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025

Even the high end feels woozy and drowned, like foliage piercing a melting frost. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

The song and album aren’t always as piercing as the couplet, but brevity allows Showbiz! —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025