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
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
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
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
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Like the tip of a spear thrusting from the London skyline, The Shard has become an appealing landmark for filmmakers over the years.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
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Crossed spears of sunlight fall into it but only so far, and beneath their yellow illuminations Brith can see depths and more depths of water, darkening to obscurity.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Jury convicted Anthony earlier Tuesday The jury convicted Anthony of murder in the stabbing death of 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco ISD track meet – a case that drew national attention and intensified conversations about self‑defense, race, and safety at school events.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
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Emotional testimony details shocking stabbing The trial, which began with jury selection on June 1, included emotional testimony from eye witnesses and graphic video footage of the chaotic event, CBS News reported.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his world outdoor pole vault record and Seppo Raty of Finland smashes the world javelin record during the Toto International Super Track and Field Meet in Japan.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Standard polystyrene shattered or punctured easily under the stress.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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Better known by her pseudonymous social media handle Jerry Gogosian, Helphenstein left behind a complicated legacy, puncturing art world pieties with both satirical and serious memes and occasionally making inflammatory statements.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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As Stankiewicz attempted to utter another sentence, the train’s ear-piercing horn sounded.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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The county medical examiner said in an autopsy report that Obumseli, who worked in cryptocurrency, died from a forceful downward thrust from a blade that went three inches into his chest, piercing a major artery.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
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And now, 44 years on, new generations of Villa fans could also cherish the moment when Buendia’s cross was jabbed in from close range by Morgan Rogers for the third, ensuring every Brummie in Istanbul could relax and soak in the game’s final 30 minutes.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Aiyuk started his Sunday video by seemingly comparing the Niners to kids who don’t get picked for a pickup basketball game and ruin the fun for everyone else by taking the ball and going home.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
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In anticipation of that, the nonprofit Street Soccer USA is gearing up with friendly pick-up matches.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The documents include a guide on how to create stencils for graffiti and another on how and where to place large posters advertising the group, including instructions on how to mix flour and water to create wheat paste to stick the posters up.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The suspect sped through the 10 Freeway eastbound at around 100 mph while sticking close to the center divider.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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