as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lance
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
Flame-retardant foams do little, and fire departments now favor high-pressure water lances or immersion pits.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 June 2025
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the nighttime skies over the latter lighted with bursts of yellow as missiles from Israel’s Arrow defense system lanced up to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
The three-lobed ray petals of lance leaf blanket flower, Gaillardia aestivalis, give the flowers a unique appearance.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2025
Flame-retardant foams do little, and fire departments now favor high-pressure water lances or immersion pits.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 June 2025
Verb
Robinson, 22, is accused of firing a single bullet that lanced Kirk’s neck during a public appearance on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the nighttime skies over the latter lighted with bursts of yellow as missiles from Israel’s Arrow defense system lanced up to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
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That's especially true in the Southeast, where there’s no shortage of uniquely thrilling opening acts from Chief Osceola and his flaming spear at Florida State to the eagle’s pre-game lap around Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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Paired with zucchini spears and pine nuts, your tongue tussles with pillowy soft textures and crunch.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Jared Luecke, 33, is facing murder and tampering with evidence charges and is accused of repeatedly stabbing John Luecke with a knife and hitting him with a crowbar, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Hennen spent 30 months in prison for intent to distribute cocaine and was separately arrested for assault after stabbing someone.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The tricky part is fitting hammer throw, javelin and discus into the equation.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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The senior placed first at the Div. 1 championship in both javelin and discus.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Researchers in Mexico have developed a revolutionary zinc-air battery (ZAB) that keeps running even after being punctured, exposed to flames, or even completely submerged in water.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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Their necks were broken and they were dragged away to the bush to be impaled, their bowels punctured.—
Adam L. Rovner,
The Conversation,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For Edelberto’s brother, Amilcar Hernandez, the death has been piercing and painful.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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In September, Manow posted a photo of her bloodied face and said Clateman knocked out her dermal piercing during a fight.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The inmates jabbed him repeatedly.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
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For nations in the developing world, the vote has been an opportunity to jab at the United States on an issue that has traditionally carried little diplomatic weight.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With two straight victories after a 1-5 start, the Ravens have picked themselves off the mat and are threatening to get back in the playoff mix.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Seahawks, who sent two mid-round draft picks to the Saints, may see Shaheed as similar to Percy Harvin.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The game can really get stuck there.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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As the humpback plunges back below the surface the remoras, also known as sucker fish, return to the whale, sticking their landings with the timing and precision of Olympic gymnasts.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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