1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of piercing
Mohammed Naseehu Ali, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
For the piercing and tattoo shop, that changeover started last September with checking the building's insulation and air sealing to determine what size heat pumps were needed.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024
PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
In this later time frame, Ross continues to rely on point-of-view images, but with a piercing difference.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piercing 
Adjective
The sad and piercing voice of the funeral crier continued, reciting the phrases over and over, and very soon the cries of women and children filled the night air.
—Mohammed Naseehu Ali, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
For the piercing and tattoo shop, that changeover started last September with checking the building's insulation and air sealing to determine what size heat pumps were needed.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
The higher strings aren’t quite as piercing but still shine through.
—PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
In this later time frame, Ross continues to rely on point-of-view images, but with a piercing difference.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
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Her awful journey is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed, especially by other women.The Week US, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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As playwright, Barbot sits between them, turning the mainstream obscurity of his protagonists into a biting political point, and reflecting poignantly on the long arc of history, which sure seems to take its sweet time bending toward justice.Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mangione’s previous appearance in court included a loud outburst when he was lead into the building, but this morning’s proceedings went quietly and Mangione seemed in good spirits.Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
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The sheer size of the crowds in Tampa and Philly made those two of the loudest crowd pops of her career, but Bayley said the depth of the story with Damage CTRL also added to the reactions — and to her own pride in accomplishment.Jay Reddick, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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And while ground-penetrating radar confirmed the presence of 28 bodies, there are likely more — including smaller graves of children or infants.Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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This potent formula relaxes frizz, creates shine, and repairs damage by fully penetrating every strand’s shaft.Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Jaylen Reeves family pushes back against claims of self-defense in fatal stabbing Black-footed ferrets reintroduced to Arizona for first time in nearly 30 years Mild Arizona weather expected through Black Friday, holiday weekend.Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024
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Humane Society Yavapai Humane Society Jaylen Reeves family pushes back against claims of self-defense in fatal stabbing Black-footed ferrets reintroduced to Arizona for first time in nearly 30 years Mild Arizona weather expected through Black Friday, holiday weekend.Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The two are likely headed for a new bitter legal fight with money at stake.Alina Selyukh, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
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The pith can be bitter, so some people don’t like the taste.Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Zoom out: While these protests may be vociferous, there's an equally deafening volume of grievances the SEC sees.Hope King, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024
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McBride’s defense turned into offense that later induced more deafening pops from The Garden crowd.Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2024
Verb
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Hilarious images from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards Marchetti’s photo shows the moment a red squirrel is entering its hide in the trunk of a tree, with its legs at right angles to the trunk.Jack Guy, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
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The Academy Awards are officially entering the streaming age.Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Advertisement In 2022, a woman filed for a restraining order against Sweeting, accusing her of punching her repeatedly in the head and kicking her in the chest.Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
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During an interview with detectives, Lambeth admitted to punching, stomping and strangling Howells, court documents stated.Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near piercing
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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