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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
Bottom cleaners use lances to scrape biofoul off hulls. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 Um dos lances mais bonitos da nossa história. — Stuart James, New York Times, 16 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
  • Reigns flopped into the corner and waited for the right moment to strike with a spear.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The same chargrill produces the usual skewers but also charred okra spears or smoky mushrooms.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • Dydzuhn was punched and stabbed, and suffered severe cuts and damage to one of her eyes, according to NBC Miami.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Whatley invoked the name of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail in 2025.
    — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • His deep ball and his javelin toss can easily clear 50 yards.
    — Ren Clayton, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The feeling came again when Wright, who played hockey, netball, tennis and javelin at county level in her teens, turned her hand to rugby.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Like the earlier series, this one readily acknowledges how real-world horrors can puncture even a relative safe space like Hillman.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That notion reached its pinnacle after the Chiefs beat the Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game but was punctured by their 40-22 clobbering at the hands of the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • Pour the bean mixture into airtight freezer bags pierced the tip of a knife to create air holes.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • One item that wasn’t returned was his 3-year-old daughter’s car seat, which had been pierced by a bullet.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • At the tail end of their time on stage, the former castmates took the opportunity to jab at the Buffy revival’s cancellation earlier this year.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than immediately running toward his destination on the opposite side of the field, Jefferson jabs at the defender to create even more separation.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • Sherrill picked Caldwell as her running mate in July 2025 and named him as her administration’s secretary of state in December 2025 after the pair won their November election by a double-digit margin.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Joe says picking Katie is either going to work out great for them or backfire.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • But as a viewer, at least, watching American Horror Story feels more than ever like being stuck in some sort of hell.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026
  • If you have ever been stuck in traffic wishing your car could sprout wings, Samson Sky has been working on something pretty close.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stick

Browse Nearby Words

lanais
lance
lanced
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Cite this Entry

“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lance

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lance

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