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)

• assail
• assault
• attack
• beset
• bushwhack
• charge
• descend (on or upon)
• go in (on)
• jump (on)
• raid
• rush
• set on
• sic
• sick
• storm
• strike
• trash
• turn (on)

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

Verb

Now 38, Giroud has been impressed by how Enzo Maresca’s ultra-youthful side performed this past season, hanging on in the hunt for a Champions League spot and eventually pouncing on the fourth position as others, Nottingham Forest included, faltered at the end. —Martin Rogers, New York Times, 16 June 2025

Common sense says next summer is the appropriate time to pounce on a trade after one more swing with the current starting lineup. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 June 2025

Noun

However, the occasional scuffle—or pounce—between pets is often just part of their play routine, especially if both are young or have playful temperaments. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

An ancient breed, born to hunt, to sniff out blood and pounce. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 May 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