lance 1 of 2

noun

ˈlan(t)s How to pronounce lance (audio)
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

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lance

2 of 2

verb

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

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
Fer-de-lance Fer-de-lance is a common name applied to highly dangerous pit vipers in the Bothrops genus, particularly in Central and South America. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 Bottom cleaners use lances to scrape biofoul off hulls. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Verb
His maiden first-class — let alone Test — century was confirmed with a tension-lancing scythe over midwicket in the final session, writes Dominic Fifield. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 Asking a question that lanced through his core. — Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
  1. spear
  2. stab
  3. javelin
  4. puncture
  5. pierce
  6. jab
  7. pick
  8. stick
Noun
  • The standard dressing at the 51-year-old stand consists of mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spears, and celery salt, and adds lettuce, green peppers, and cucumber slices (hot peppers are available on request).
    — Amy Cavanaugh, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lakshmana is left gravely wounded after a second spear attack by Ravana.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • Their race started off heated again in 2026, with the campaigns trading claims over Bradley’s position on the legislation named for the Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail in 2025.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On the night of March 31, 2025, Arriaga Guerrero fatally stabbed Erma Adeyemo-Azeez at her apartment complex in the 2600 block of Whisper Meadow Lane in Arlington.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Yadav won gold and set a record in the men’s F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
  • His deep ball and his javelin toss can easily clear 50 yards.
    — Ren Clayton, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Be careful not to puncture holes through the plastic or meat.
    — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • This is punctured by a wailing refrain from Lyons, whose runs serve as a continual anchor to the jazz tradition throughout his time with Taylor.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • Accumulation of food debris observed on the piercing part of can opener.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bauer, who was working in uniform, was shot twice — with one of the bullets piercing his heart — during a robbery at Kislak National Bank, 13490 NW Seventh Ave.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • The film’s pick-me jabs at humor are frankly, flatly unfunny and grating, twisting the film at times into a perverse, almost self-aware treatise on tweeness.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rainbow continued to jab the secretary of health as his primary opposition throughout the parody of the Frank Loesser song.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • Voters in Florida, Nevada and Wisconsin also picked their first Black governors while Texans selected their first Latina.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • To be fair to the Falcons, picking Georgia Tech to cover the spread at Pittsburgh was almost as dumb.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • Including one that saw its accelerator pedal getting stuck at max, probably the most dangerous one besides the wheel issue.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There are relationships stuck in gray areas, career paths that feel like pyramid schemes, nights out that turn into existential crises, parents who just don’t understand.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stick

Browse Nearby Words

lanais
lance
lanced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lance

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