pierce

1 of 2

verb

ˈpirs 

pierced; piercing

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

piercer noun

piercer

2 of 2

noun

pierc·​er

-sə(r)

plural -s

: one that pierces: such as

a

archaic : a keen eye

b

: an instrument (as an auger, gimlet, or stiletto) for boring or making holes

c

: a worker that pierces by hand or machine

d

: the ovipositor or the sting of an insect

Synonyms of pierce

Verb

• penetrate
• enter
• access

Choose the Right Synonym for pierce

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

If discovering tiny insect casings or sticky residue, this often indicates those insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that slowly siphon sap from plants, depleting their ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026

The close-up picture, which showcased Meeks' piercing blue eyes, endeared him to many despite his criminal past. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Players like Charlie Sifford (first Black player to earn a PGA Tour card), Lee Elder (first Black player in the Masters) and Calvin Peete (12 wins on the PGA Tour) are on the short list of African-Americans who pierced golf's racial barrier. — ABC News, 17 June 2026

Once the water boils, add the florets and cook until the largest pieces can be easily pierced with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English percer, persour, from Anglo-French perceour, persour, from Old French percer to pierce + Anglo-French -our, -eour -er

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for pierce

• fierce
• tierce

Kids Definition

pierce

verb

ˈpi(ə)rs 

pierced; piercing

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 in or through

have one's ears pierced

3

: to force or make a way into or through

pierce the enemy's line

4

: to penetrate with the eye or mind : see through

5

: to stir the emotions of : move

piercer noun

Legal Definition

pierce

transitive verb

pierced; piercing

: 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.

Biographical Definition

Pierce

biographical name

ˈpirs 

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