pierce

pierce

verb \ˈpirs\

piercedpierc·ing

Definition of PIERCE

transitive verb

1

a : to run into or through as a pointed weapon does : stab

b : to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully

2

: to make a hole through : perforate

3

: to force or make a way into or through

4

: to penetrate with the eye or mind : discern

5

: to penetrate so as to move or touch the emotions of

intransitive verb

: to force a way into or through something

— pierc·er noun

Examples of PIERCE

1. The needle pierced her skin.
2. The bullet pierced his lung.
3. The needle pierced into her skin.
4. The bullet pierced through his lung.
5. A scream pierced the silence.

Origin of PIERCE

Middle English percen, from Anglo-French percer, from Vulgar Latin *pertusiare, from Latin pertusus, past participle of pertundere to perforate, from per- through + tundere to beat — more at per-, contusion

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PIERCE

Synonyms

access, penetrate, enter

Antonyms

depart, exit, leave

Related Words

barge (in), breeze (in), burst (in or into), waltz (in); drop in, pop (in); stray (into), wander (into); crash, encroach, gate-crash, infiltrate, infringe, intrude, invade, trespass

Near Antonyms

fill, patch, plug, seal

See Synonym Discussion at enter

Rhymes with PIERCE

Bierce, birse, fierce, Pierce, tierce

Pierce

biographical name \ˈpirs\

Definition of PIERCE

Franklin 1804–1869 14th pres. of the United States (1853–57)

Rhymes with PIERCE

Bierce, birse, fierce, pierce, tierce