1
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
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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Wang is also interested in replicating the texture and aesthetics of tree bark in jacquard, particularly samples that are etched and carved.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
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So the house went searching for the kind of workshop that still treats crystal as craft, landing with a fourth-generation maker in Bohemia to hand-etch each of the 200 bottles.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the experimenter reads the information about which slit the photon passed through, there will never be an interference pattern.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Dec. 2025
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Police say when an officer tried to detain him, Cooksey threatened to slit the officer's throat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Key Background The iconic diamond was originally a gift from Mughal emperor Shah Jahangir, who ruled from 1605 to 1627, to his wife Nur Jahan, whose name is inscribed on the pendant’s surface.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Each of the 22 pages, about the size of those in a typical hardcover book, is inscribed on both sides with easily visible black and faded-brown words written by the monks.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Add 1 large white onion, thinly sliced through root end, 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped, and a large pinch of kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6–8 minutes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The argument spilled onto Wharton Street, where Hennen was accused of slicing the player's neck.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later on that night, the Kylie Cosmetics founder was by Chalamet’s side as his name was engraved on the trophy, per a video shared by Vanity Fair.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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The trek is also a separate endeavor from a $200 million campaign to build towering monuments on the temple’s 14-acre property to house the Buddha’s teachings engraved in stone, according to Dong.—
Deepa Bharath,
Fortune,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His tent is coming apart at the seams after a December snowstorm ripped through the fabric.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
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Classrooms were lost and routines were shattered when flames ripped through thousands of homes and buildings.—
Amanda Starrantino,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the late 1700s, while visiting England, American presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson allegedly carved off pieces of a wooden chair said to belong to Shakespeare.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
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This approach turned him into a wildly creative and curious rhythm guitarist — turns out carving out that space between Garcia and Lesh meant pioneering chord voicings and strange vamps rarely heard in rock ‘n’ roll.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the day Ujlaky vanished, prosecutors alleged Dickey choked her by wrapping a ligature around her neck before raping her and slashing her throat, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Kings were awarded a power play a minute later when Jacob Bernard-Docker was whistled for slashing, and the visitors didn’t waste the chance.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incise. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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