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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
-
Created by Tony McNamara, who earned Oscar nominations for his writing work on both The Favourite and Poor Things, The Great offers the same combination of lush costumes and scenery mixed with a biting commentary on the world, and a woman’s place in it.—
Jennifer M. Wood,
WIRED,
5 Nov. 2024
-
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
Adjective
-
The blizzard gave them some issues, but the over 1,000 staff members are more than ready to welcome the loudest fans in the NFL, plus some Texans fans hoping to see an upset.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
18 Jan. 2025
-
Cubs fans greeted Sosa with cheers and only a smattering of boos, which were drown out by the loud applause.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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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Listen to this article Loading your audio article As much of the U.S. endures the bitter cold, the MLB hot stove isn’t exactly offering much warmth.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
On Wednesday, morning temperatures dipped into the single digits, with wind chills amplifying the bitter cold.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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
Verb
-
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
-
The Rockets are entering one of the trickiest parts of any rebuild.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near piercing
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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