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
Noel Murray, Vulture, 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
David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Robinson, 22, is accused of firing a single bullet that lanced Kirk’s neck during a public appearance on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
As the horses gallop and the lances shatter, Egg whoops like a ringside spectator at WrestleMania.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 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
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
Robinson, 22, is accused of firing a single bullet that lanced Kirk’s neck during a public appearance on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
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The farmers—many barefoot, carrying a melange of machetes, spears, and old guns—lay in wait.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
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Having both metals arranged in this way turns the stinger into a biological spear capable of punching through tough hides or exoskeletons of prey.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Marcus Semien hit a chopper down the left side, which Jorbit Vivas stabbed at wildly while missing it badly.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Police in Antioch are investigating after a man was fatally stabbed during an altercation at home over the weekend.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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The first field events of 2026 are a series of high school girls championships, including discus throw, shot put, long jump, high jump and javelin throw.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shloime Rand, 34, was stabbed in the chest outside a synagogue, puncturing his lung, and Norman Shine, 76, who was wearing a traditional Jewish skullcap, was stabbed in the neck at a bus stop.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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By the end of the learning unit, Burton said growth in the children could be seen as their vocabularies expanded to using words such as thermometer, blood pressure and punctured.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This tank, more than any of its Allied counterparts, sent German designers back to the drawing board to produce the next generation of tanks that featured heavier armor and higher-velocity cannons with greater range and armor-piercing capability.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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In Inverted Tree, Man for Hire (2004), for example, the trunk of a wily branched tree bears a piercing gaze.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The president has kept up his criticism of Leo, jabbing the pope in a May 4 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on the eve of Rubio’s visit.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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In the 10 months since, Colbert has not held back, regularly jabbing his network, its new owners’ cozy relationship with the president and reports that his show was hemorrhaging $40 million a year.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Griffin was picked by the Minnesota Lynx in the third round of the 2025 draft but didn’t report to camp last year to rehab a lingering knee injury from the college season, and she was waived by the Lynx during training camp this season.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
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But so far, the focus of these draft picks — which is football first and borders on football only — stands in contrast to the bigger personalities and egos of recent Joe Schoen first round picks such as Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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And after carrying some double-headers in recent weeks, NBC curiously opted to air only single games on Monday and Tuesday this week (the series openers of Knicks-76ers and Lakers-OKC), and stuck its two other playoff games those nights on Peacock.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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Some of the chemicals that didn’t stick on carpets were flushed with the industry’s wastewater into local sewer pipes and, eventually, the region’s rivers.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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