pierce

verb

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\ ˈpirs

pierced; piercing

Definition of pierce

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

Pierce

biographical name

\ ˈpirs

Definition of Pierce (Entry 2 of 2)

Franklin 1804–1869 14th president of the U.S. (1853–57)

Other Words from pierce Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More About pierce

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Synonyms & Antonyms for pierce

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

Choose the Right Synonym for pierce

Verb

enter, penetrate, pierce, probe mean to make way into something. enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in. entered the city in triumph penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance. the enemy penetrated the fortress pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument. pierced the boil with a lancet probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge. probed the depths of the sea

Examples of pierce in a Sentence

Verb The needle pierced her skin. The bullet pierced his lung. The needle pierced into her skin. The bullet pierced through his lung. A scream pierced the silence.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb When left untrimmed, the dew claws continue to grow and eventually pierce back into a pet’s leg! — baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 20 June 2021 If the new strictures are extended to the much broader art market, dealers and auction houses would likely be required by law to determine who the actual owners are, even pierce the veils of shell companies. — New York Times, 19 June 2021 Using a teaspoon, gently scoop out flesh from each half, leaving about a 1/4-inch layer of squash, and being careful not to pierce the shell. — Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Apr. 2021 Talking about the latest work, what inspired you to pierce holes through such a product? — Mitsuko Watanabe, Vogue, 18 May 2021 The pointed wire end will pierce the wall, indicating exactly where to tap in the nail. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 22 Apr. 2021 But Volpe’s purple beats are far more affecting on their own, collected in a psychedelic little package where dreamy melodies pierce through thick fog. — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2021 And yet, despite the murkiness that the pandemic and other outside forces have created, a kind of teen-age normalcy seems to pierce through everything. — Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2021 Young, tender branches are easier to pierce, and therefore ideal for egg laying. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pierce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near pierce

pier buttress

pierce

Pierce

Statistics for pierce

Last Updated

22 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pierce. Accessed 30 Jul. 2021.

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More Definitions for pierce

pierce

verb

English Language Learners Definition of pierce

: to make a hole in or through (something)

: to go through or into (something) in a forceful or noticeable way

See the full definition for pierce in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pierce

verb

\ ˈpirs

pierced; piercing

Kids Definition of pierce

1 : to make a hole in or through or as if in or through I had my ears pierced. A stab of fear pierced his heart.

2 : to force or make a way into or through The sunshine pierced through their faded dresses …— Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie

pierce

transitive verb

pierced; piercing

Legal Definition of pierce

: to see through the usually misleading or false appearance of the object of summary judgment is to pierce the pleadings and allow a judgment on the merits— J. H. Friedenthal et al. the Internal Revenue Service may attempt to pierce the plain meaning of the agreement— W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

pierce the corporate veil

: to disregard the corporate entity and reach the personal assets of the corporation's controlling parties : hold the controlling parties (as officers or shareholders) of a corporation personally liable for wrongful acts or debts of the corporation a…creditor in New York cannot pierce the corporate veil solely on grounds of inadequate capitalization— R. C. Clark — compare corporate immunity at immunity

Note: An action to pierce the corporate veil is usually grounded on the corporation's being an instrumentality or alter ego of the officers or shareholders and on some misuse (as fraud) of the officers' or shareholders' control over the corporation.