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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of piercing
Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Where is the voice—broken and piercing and fierce—on behalf of these women?
—Michal Herzog, TIME, 12 July 2024
John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Surveillance camera video of the strike showed huge fireballs piercing the darkness and slamming into the ground at astonishing speed.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Where is the voice—broken and piercing and fierce—on behalf of these women?
—Michal Herzog, TIME, 12 July 2024
Verb
That argument, which the bus driver was not involved in, ended in gunshots, with a stray slug piercing the bus’ windshield, the spokesman said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Surveillance camera video of the strike showed huge fireballs piercing the darkness and slamming into the ground at astonishing speed.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The criticism from Barney Ronay at The Guardian was even more biting.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The crowd welcomed him with a loud ovation and cheered him on numerous times during the match.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Building strong relationships—without being the loudest in the room Introverts are rarely the most talkative people in meetings or social settings.—
Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Winterized Trail Running Shoes These trail running shoes are designed for wet muck, packed snow, and sloppy terrain in general, with their traction adding necessary grip and rugged uppers protecting from punctures and penetrating cold and moisture.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside Online,
20 Dec. 2024
-
It’s coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that helps bead water and stop it from penetrating the outer layer.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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To add to Ferrari’s woes, Hamilton was also disqualified from sixth as the rear skid block on his car failed to meet the minimum thickness requirement – a bitter pill to swallow for the Brit who had secured his first victory for the team in the sprint earlier in the weekend.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Some instant coffee is made with Robusta beans, which can be a bit bitter.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But there’s no deafening scream of a Formula 1 race.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The genteel tranquility of his $10 million estate is shattered by the deafening scream of jet traffic with the regularity of commercial airline schedules.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The Rockets are entering one of the trickiest parts of any rebuild.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Friction should act as a safeguard, especially when choices have long-term implications, such as entering into debt, making a large investment, or choosing financial protection products.—
Alex Kreger,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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 4 Apr. 2025.
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