1
as in etching
to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface
incised a pattern into the copper plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in slicing
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incising
Verb
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The bowl itself looks like a flower petal, and features detailed, spiral etching in the center.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 May 2026 -
Construction in the Arizona desert damaged an enormous Indigenous ground etching resembling a fish that is thought to be at least 1,000 years old.—
Jake Spring,
Washington Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
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His girlfriend in stirrups, her assistant slicing the fruit with a scalpel instead of a chef’s knife.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
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Don't Crowd Determinate Tomatoes Most paste varieties, patio, and compact selections, and some slicing tomatoes are determinate.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Like inscribing shell casings, communicating messages in connection with high-profile acts of violence has a long history.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Dense tropical landscaping weaves through the property, carving out natural pockets of privacy, while multiple terraces and lounge spaces are positioned to follow the light—from soft morning sun to wide sunset views.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
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Ouellet ended up carving out a third-pair role for a couple of seasons for a rebuilding NHL team, hung around as a high-end top-four option in the AHL and is now playing in the KHL.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Because our state refused to cooperate with the military-style deportations that are ripping families apart across California.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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But Bellinger snapped out of it Friday, ripping two doubles in the Yankees’ win over the Orioles.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Lubeck’s distinctive style—marked by one-of-a-kind antique stones and intricate hand-engraving work—caught Swift’s eye.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2026
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Less than six months after Cesar Chavez died, his family members were in Santa Ana engraving their names in cement during a groundbreaking for Cesar Chavez Continuation High School.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The 76ers got small cushions, with the Celtics cutting it to a point three additional times.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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School systems typically cope with declining enrollment by closing schools and cutting staff, among other options.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Incising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incising. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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