piercing

1 of 3

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 3

noun

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

piercing

3 of 3

present participle of pierce

Synonyms of piercing

Adjective

• biting
• bitter
• sharp
• penetrating

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

Still, the glimpses of freedom Clark offers are all the more piercing for their rarity. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026

Mars merging with Pluto can hit you with a piercing moment of honesty. — Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

Noun

The chains Studs and Rowan both took market share, but they’re often geared toward an older consumer getting a second or fifth piercing. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

People who have a fresh cut, including a new piercing or tattoo, are advised to stay out of water that could be home to Vibrio vulnificus. — Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

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