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2
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
To match its maritime origins, it was incised with designs of cavorting Tritons and surmounted with a silver Neptune riding a hippocampus—a lot of gaudy ornament around a big brown husk.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for incise
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for incise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incise
Verb
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This call by the Bulls crew is forever etched into my brain.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Satellite imagery near Ajo, Arizona, showed what appeared to be bulldozer tracks cutting a path approximately sixty to seventy feet wide across a colossal fish etched into the earth.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Nicholson repeatedly stabbed her and slit her throat before stuffing her into a large plastic bin with her arms and legs sticking out, Porter said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
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If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It's always inscribed with cultural values and ideas.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Tate — a Chicago native who started his high school career at Marist before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, then starred as a receiver at Ohio State — wore a jacket with his mom’s name, Ashley Griggs, inscribed on the inside.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The organization also pointed to its guidelines for preventing Listeria contamination in ready-to-eat foods prepared or sliced in retail delis.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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Arrange 1 avocado, thinly sliced, and ½ mango, thinly sliced, on top, then spoon tuna mixture with dressing over.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
Verb
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There's even a nod to analog detail with depth of field lines decoratively engraved on the case and a read button that resembles a shutter release.—
Shirl Leigh
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
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His name, though, wasn’t engraved on the Stanley Cup.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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On May 13, 2011 — 15 years ago to this day — the popular DC show concluded with a fist-pumping final scene where Clark rips open his shirt to display the iconic Superman logo while John Williams' unmistakable score rings like a battle cry.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
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Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Along its spiral arms, bright orange pockets mark areas where new star clusters are forming, carving out glowing bubbles in the surrounding material.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
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The couple has talked about whether their daughter might one day sing, follow her mom onstage or carve out a completely different path of her own.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Verb
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With the center unavailable on Pavel Mintyukov’s first-period slashing penalty against Vegas star Mitch Marner, rookie Tim Washe played with both Killorn and Granlund.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Trump has attacked the Fed and its outgoing chair, Jerome Powell, for refusing to slash rates to boost the economy.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incise. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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