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
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
But an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
Multiply the rain’s lances, multiply their ruin, the grace born from subtraction as the hold’s iron door
rolled over their eyes like pots left out in the rain,
and the bolt rammed home its echo, the way that thunder-
claps perpetuate their reverberation.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
This week, an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
But an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
-
As the tip of the spear for strategic deterrence, [ballistic missile submarine] operations demonstrate the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, global reach and capability of our undersea force.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
-
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Rapper Tory Lanez, who is serving jail time, was hospitalized after another inmate stabbed him.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
-
Life outside the courtroom, however, is a bit more complicated, with Nash-Betts weeping in a hospital gown and Kardashian stabbing herself with a needle in a bathroom stall.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The Kansas City native excelled in high school track and field as a shot putter, and threw the discus and javelin.—
Bruce Feldman,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
With all of this going on in the house, why, oh why would Jesse Solomon (always both names) hurl himself at Lexi with the velocity of a gold medal javelin throw?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Putin’s absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders amid the intense maneuvering.—
Mehmet Guzel,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Williams driver Carlos Sainz failed to finish after puncturing his tire.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Taking the main melody, the nine-time Grammy winner’s piercing voice soars over lush harmonies provided by the other singers, with Eilish adding her own tasteful riffs throughout.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
If one chapter of your mortal span—your wartime experience, or a love affair—has pierced you more sharply than any other, why shouldn’t that chapter go up front?—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
Asked about Trump's return to power on Thursday, Biden jabbed the current president on several fronts from domestic to international affairs.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Cole has jabbed at West on multiple occasions in the past.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Situations like, how to thread the needle between multiple dietary restrictions, or how to pick a menu that can be made days in advance so hosts can save their energy for the party itself.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 May 2025
-
Then Tavares basically spent all seven years refusing to pick a lane.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Best Uses Due to their smooth, slippery surface, nonstick pans are ideal for delicate foods that are prone to sticking.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2025
-
No calibration, no camera… just plug, stick, and go.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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