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as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
incised the tree with a sharp ax to get the sap flowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incise
But don’t say that it won’t be mourned; don’t say these views of tree and leaf
and lawn and road and field won’t live
incised on someone’s retina.
—
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Little climbed into a trench and bent over a vertical stone that was incised with a web of typically Orcadian geometric patterns.
—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Ellen Greenberg, 27, was found in her apartment with nearly two dozen stab and incised wounds and a knife in her chest in January 2011, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office.
—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
13 Oct. 2025
To match its maritime origins, it was incised with designs of cavorting Tritons and surmounted with a silver Neptune riding a hippocampus—a lot of gaudy ornament around a big brown husk.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incise
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Little climbed into a trench and bent over a vertical stone that was incised with a web of typically Orcadian geometric patterns.
—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Ellen Greenberg, 27, was found in her apartment with nearly two dozen stab and incised wounds and a knife in her chest in January 2011, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office.
—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
13 Oct. 2025
To match its maritime origins, it was incised with designs of cavorting Tritons and surmounted with a silver Neptune riding a hippocampus—a lot of gaudy ornament around a big brown husk.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incise
Verb
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His work was later etched into metal plates and used to mass-produce publicity prints.
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Evidence of this residue can be seen as water spots or etching glass surfaces, clean laundry that feels stiff and scratchy, and toilet bowl rings that trap bacteria.
Verb
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Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
-
If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.
Verb
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Ambrosio, smiling and waving to fans, was flanked by an entourage that included her 14-year-old son, Noah, whose name was inscribed on the back of his jersey.
-
Both his father and mother have tattoos dedicated to their youngest — Messi has Ciro's name and birth date inscribed on his calf, along with his brother's names.
Verb
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Thinly slice the tomatoes themselves for the red addition to the salad, and use the oil for the salad dressing — no need to pull out a bottle of olive oil.
-
Warm scacciata, a traditional Sicilian bread, is presented whole and sliced warm to order.
Verb
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These include an elite Viking Age burial site unearthed near Lisbjerg and engraved 9th century silver bangles, found in Elsted, that functioned as currency whose value was determined by the jewelry’s weight.
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The ring now bears both women's wedding dates engraved side by side.
Verb
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Pride flags are once again blowing in the breeze on Kings Highway in Haddonfield, New Jersey, less than 48 hours after police say a man ripped most of them down in the middle of the borough's busy business district.
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Sequined trousers resembled jeans, while ripped denim was finished with fine silver chains.
Verb
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But once a week, Norway still carve out a ‘fast food’ meal.
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More than 140 family members and friends filled the 18th century Victorian house of worship’s wooden pews, iconic for featuring ornate animals carved into their ends.
Verb
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The billionaire was an early ally and donor to the president, but left acrimoniously after a four-month stint as a special government employee running the contentious budget-slashing effort known as DOGE.
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Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry has vowed to slash his team’s exorbitant payroll to get below the luxury tax threshold.
Cite this Entry
“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incise. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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