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
Gardeners are pressed for choice, given the mind-boggling array of sizes and shapes with rounded, heart-shaped, lance-shaped, or oval leaves in blue, green, chartreuse, or golden with stripes of yellow, cream, or white. — Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 June 2026 Benjamin began Wednesday’s quarterfinals at Constitution Hall by correctly spelling vamplate, a round plate of iron mounted on the shaft of a lance or tilting spear to protect the hand. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 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
  • In Kris’ case, that obsession was with Camp Miasma, its tortured villain Little Death, and the oversexualized victims who ended up on the other end of Little Death’s spear, terrible sequel after terrible sequel.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Oakland Police Department on Thursday released a compilation video of officer body camera footage of the fatal shooting last month of a man wielding two homemade spear-like devices at officers.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • One of the most memorable is witnessing the Maasai Games, where warriors compete in events such as sprinting, javelin throwing, high jump, and rungu throwing.
    — Nicola Shepherd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
  • On the island, Heiva i Tahiti has been celebrated every July since, with traditional dance, drumming, singing and sports, such as javelin throwing and canoe races.
    — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Under Booster Seats Booster seats can dig into leather car seats and puncture the material over time.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • That’s partly the result of actions by Curtis, like taking customer’s phone calls and jabbing at a competitor on social media.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • Backstage, Kenny Omega calls the Don Callis Family bullies and tells them to pick any three members to face him and The Young Bucks, who are standing beside Omega, next week.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church members who are facing off in court over control of the College Station congregation will meet Monday to determine the process for picking who gets to preach.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • At the time, Valli’s rep told Variety in a statement that the musician decided to cancel the shows instead of rescheduling them so that his fans with tickets would not be stuck in limbo.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Stickers are stuck in the wrong spot, Trevor Etienne gets put on the board when it was meant to be his brother Travis, and owners look frantically for a Stefon Diggs or Keenan Allen sticker that doesn’t exist in the pack.
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lance

Nglish: Translation of lance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lance

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