piercing

1 of 2

adjective

pierc·​ing ˈpir-siŋ 

: penetrating: such as

a

: loud, shrill

piercing cries

b

: perceptive

piercing eyes

c

: penetratingly cold : biting

a piercing wind

d

: cutting, incisive

piercing sarcasm

piercingly

ˈpir-siŋ-lē 

adverb

piercing

2 of 2

noun

: a piece of jewelry (such as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh

Synonyms

Adjective

• biting
• bitter
• cutting
• keen
• penetrating
• raw
• sharp
• shrewd
• smarting
• stinging

Examples of piercing in a Sentence

Adjective

She looked at me with piercing eyes, and I was suddenly frightened that she knew what I had done.

I tried to avoid his piercing stare.

She felt a piercing sadness when she heard the news.

Noun

There's a small shop in town where they do tattooing and body piercing.

She got another ear piercing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And to eloquently share the piercing but ultimately inspiring tale of his family’s experience with the Special Olympics. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025

What spooks Vara is that A.I. writes what are possibly her essay’s most piercing lines. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Noun

Curtis gets to be young and rebellious, with a cool haircut and new piercings, while Lohan is stuck up and wears her hair in severe buns. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 28 May 2025

Tony Todd, the franchise’s only mainstay (who died last year), makes a soulfully spooky cameo; and Richard Harmon, who plays one of Stefani’s cousins and whose multiple piercings and rogue demeanor make great playthings for Death, is a comic standout. —Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing piercing

• body piercing

Kids Definition

piercing

1 of 2 adjective

pierc·​ing

: having the ability to enter, pierce, or penetrate: as

a

: loud and shrill

piercing screams

b

: perceptive, keen

a piercing glance

c

: very cold

a piercing wind

piercingly

ˈpir-siŋ-lē

adverb

piercing

2 of 2 noun

: a piece of jewelry (as a ring or stud) that is attached to pierced flesh