1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loud
marked by a high volume of sound
the frightened child emitted a piercing shriek that could be heard all over the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in penetrating
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piercing
Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
Some of the most piercing instances in Emilia’s journey rely on Audiard’s penchant for indelible imagery.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Her movements were understated and free, her presence magnetic — graceful twirls one moment, piercing eye contact the next.
—Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
The word itself began life as a British colonial term, probably a corruption of kutu, a Malay word for lice and other biting insects.—
Bruce Handy,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
-
But the two-hour, 40-minute script by Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allan is smart, biting, playful and swift-paced.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Such evidence could support the view that incessant loud noise amounts to torture or cruel treatment towards cetaceans, in turn galvanizing support for a new right to be free from such harm.—
David Gruber,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
-
According to cops, Mette, while inside Tamara’s Beauty Bar, a salon on Lenox Ave. near W. 113th St., heard a loud argument between two groups about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The thermal conductivity of the lunar surface acts as a blanket and stops some of the sun’s heat from penetrating into the ground.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Every lifestyle guru worth watching has some uniquely irrepressible quality, from the Martha-like obsessiveness with which Gwyneth approaches wellness to Oprah’s talent for penetrating conversation.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Her coverage has ranged from a rare interview with Mark Zuckerberg as Meta neared its 20th birthday to the bitter divorce proceedings of an Indian software billionaire.—
Kerry A. Dolan,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Trump's second term kicked off late January with mass layoffs in the federal government, widespread tariffs, an escalating trade war with China and a deportation program that has led to a bitter court battle.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Sudden showers of beer, cider, and other mysterious fluids became as integral to the vibe as the deafening roar of the crowd.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
-
But there’s no deafening scream of a Formula 1 race.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The reeling Heat put together a quality effort against the talented Celtics, entering halftime with the score tied at 50 and entering the fourth quarter trailing by just one point.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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