pounce

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈpau̇n(t)s 

: the claw of a bird of prey

pounce

2 of 5

verb (1)

pounced; pouncing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to swoop upon and seize something with or as if with talons

b

: to seize upon and make capital of something (such as another's blunder or an opportunity)

2

: to make a sudden assault or approach

pounce

3 of 5

noun (2)

: the act of pouncing

pounce

4 of 5

verb (2)

pounced; pouncing

transitive verb

: to dust, rub, finish, or stencil with pounce

pounce

5 of 5

noun (3)

1

: a fine powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading

2

: a fine powder for making stenciled patterns

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• assault
• attack
• raid
• descend (on or upon)
• storm
• turn (on)
• set upon
• set at
• set on
• strike
• jump (on)
• fly at

Examples of pounce in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the muggers pounced on the unsuspecting tourists as soon as they rounded the corner

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With a postseason spot now guaranteed, the Yankees may think the Blue Jays will relax and the door is open to pounce on the division lead. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025

During many of the builds that Riley cited during his comments after the Heat’s 37-45 disappointment of a season, there has been a time when cap cash was set aside to pounce in free agency. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

Verb

Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga pounced, outrunning a PSG defender and holding up the play to await support from her colleagues. —Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025

Raia, meanwhile, warned the gangs to brace for raids, which will come when the bureau is ready to pounce. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, punching tool, dagger, talon — more at punch

Verb (2)

Middle French poncer, from ponce

Noun (3)

French ponce pumice, from Middle French, from Late Latin pomic-, pomex, alteration of Latin pumic-, pumex — more at foam

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1535, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pounce

• bounce
• flounce
• ounce
• announce
• denounce
• pronounce
• renounce

Kids Definition

pounce

verb

ˈpau̇n(t)s

pounced; pouncing

1

: to swoop down on and seize something

a cat waiting to pounce

2

: to make a sudden assault or approach

a clerk pounced on me immediately

pounce noun