lance 1 of 2

Definition of lancenext
as in spear
a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade the lance struck squarely on the knight's shield, knocking him from his horse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

lance

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lance
Noun
Warhorses charge, lances down, crashing through the tilts as lances break on shields and men topple from their steeds. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 The nest hoards of bearded vultures in southern Spain, where the species is extinct, were found to harbor such human artifacts as a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, a wooden lance, and a shoe with an approximate age of 675 years. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
Verb
Asking a question that lanced through his core. Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2025 Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist. David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
  • According to the statement, Origin Rock is an early-stage ‘spear and shield’ model that combines strong quantum computing services with defensive security measures, creating a quantum computing service system capable of performing both tasks.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026
  • Instead, use the heat to cook up sides like broccolini spears or baby potatoes that taste even better next to this steak.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • After Emii’s killing, Bland stabbed and attempted to shoot herself but was unable to because of the extent of her injuries, Handfield said, after the voices in her head were giving her those commands.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • If you are stabbed in the neck outside a LA restaurant, pray Amy Adams is dining at the same establishment.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Nebraska's Dyson Wicker won the pole vault at an NCAA-leading 19-2 1/4, and Texas A&M senior Zaza Nnamdi took javelin at 269-10.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
  • In the girls field events, South Hadley’s Natalie Rios threw her personal best and achieved third best javelin throw in the state at 125-04.
    Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Guess explained that the suspects likely used a sharp object like a screwdriver or a pair of scissors to scrape and puncture the canvas.
    News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2026
  • Watt had his lung punctured by the medical staff last season and will turn 32 in October.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The close-up picture, which showcased Meeks' piercing blue eyes, endeared him to many despite his criminal past.
    Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
  • Players like Charlie Sifford (first Black player to earn a PGA Tour card), Lee Elder (first Black player in the Masters) and Calvin Peete (12 wins on the PGA Tour) are on the short list of African-Americans who pierced golf's racial barrier.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The audience groaned, while Vergara and Mel B screamed for Strange to stop jabbing at his partner through the box.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
  • The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.
    Donald G. McNeil Jr, Washington Post, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Dominic placed Asher on the back of his pick-up truck to capture the moment before entering the ballpark together, the first of many.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • This is when the debtor, aware that his vehicle is in jeopardy, makes an appointment, through the lender, to have a repossessor pick it up.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Messi stuck a boot back, corralled the ball, took a half-turn and fired a laser low and into the corner of the net past Zidane.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • Nothing works — the gun is seized up, the bolt sticking on some unforeseen burr of filament as the plastic slowly breaks in.
    Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on lance

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster