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as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
incised the tree with a sharp ax to get the sap flowing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incise
The coroner ruled Carol’s cause of death as hypovolemia, which is when the plasma is too low from excessive bleeding; multiple stab and incised wounds from a sharp instrument; and a blunt force injury that fractured the skull, according to the coroner’s report.
—
Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
The stick and stone represent yes or no, while the leaf cards, which are specially incised with certain meanings, offer further clarification.
—Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Ehrlich mines her treasure trove to create jewels imbued with the presence of the past, molding, for example, bronze age Viking bracelets in wax, incising them with enigmatic marks and casting them in 18-karat gold or sterling silver.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incise
Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
The stick and stone represent yes or no, while the leaf cards, which are specially incised with certain meanings, offer further clarification.
—Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Indeed, Ehrlich mines her treasure trove to create jewels imbued with the presence of the past, molding, for example, bronze age Viking bracelets in wax, incising them with enigmatic marks and casting them in 18-karat gold or sterling silver.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incise
Verb
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Vinegar, ammonia, and other harsh cleaners can etch the surface.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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From orbit, the formations look like giant spiderwebs etched across the terrain.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Moments later, Gavalas slit his wrists, according to the complaint.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To disassociate Braunau from Hitler’s legacy, the town government in 1989 placed a granite block from the Mauthausen concentration camp quarry before the building, inscribed with a memorial to the victims of fascism.—
Cary Lowe,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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It's always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.—
GMA Team,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many parents are already familiar with grape cutters, but Oxo’s Tot Grape Cutter can be used for much more than slicing grapes for little ones.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
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The ball wobbled in the air, seemingly unable to slice through the cold wind, and into the arms of Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The machines engrave writing and logos; the staff carves bigger shapes with chainsaws, chisels, and other handheld tools.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
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Once at the hospital, Cermak reportedly uttered the line that is engraved on his tomb.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Human Rights Watch quoted one unnamed resident recalling how the explosion ripped both feet off a baby.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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Teel ripped a pitch down the first-base line in the sixth inning.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Constructing his earliest works from castoff two-by-fours, Mosley soon progressed to carving small figures and from there to using a chisel and gauge to shape larger abstract forms from fallen logs of hickory, cherry, and sycamore discarded by the city’s parks department.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
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Colorado lawmakers are considering whether to carve a new path out of prison for some inmates who have served at least two decades behind bars.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last Friday, the government reported unexpectedly sharp job losses for February as employers slashed 92,000 jobs.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The Sacramento Police Department proposed slashing 66 vacant positions and shifting 129 positions to other duties.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incise. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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