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
The washer includes a spray gun and spray lance, plus a high-pressure hose. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026 In Ukraine, drone versus drone warfare has already seen a wide range of gladiatorial weapons used, including drones fitted with lances, tridents and harpoons. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 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
  • Seth Rollins dodged a Roman Reigns spear and hit a stomp for a false finish.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But as Reigns bounced off the ropes, Rollins hit Reigns with a spear.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of spear
Verb
  • This time, in the middle of the afternoon on Friday, in a tourist and family hotspot, a man was stabbed and rushed to the hospital after a fight with another man, police say.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Last August, Iryna Zarutska, a white 23-year-old immigrant from Ukraine, was stabbed on the light rail by a man suffering from mental illness.
    — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • 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
  • Nebraska's Dyson Wicker won the pole vault at an NCAA-leading 19-2 1/4, and Texas A&M senior Zaza Nnamdi took javelin at 269-10.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
Definition of javelin
Verb
  • Images of Russian delivery warehouses and refineries ablaze have punctured the veneer of safety Moscow has tried to maintain four years into the war.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Then Uber came along and punctured the entire system within a few years.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of puncture
Verb
  • Their headlamps piercing the watery dark, the group swims along (only Sara has accepted a life jacket), admiring the bats and stalactites while Wat reminds them to respect the caves.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • O’Connor’s face filled the screen, her crystal-blue eyes piercing me in my own living room.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 July 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • 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
  • Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu jabbed back against the prevailing narrative yesterday, saying she was never invited to participate in the WNBA’s 3-point contest this weekend.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of jab
Verb
  • That ranked fifth among the 63 college FBS receivers who were targeted at least 25 times on man-to-man routes — more than first-round picks Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The shrinking labor supply has contributed to the low-hire, low-fire environment, though recent months have seen a pick-up in job growth.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of pick
Verb
  • Oba Femi punched the chair out of Brock’s hand and stuck him with the Fall from Grace for the win.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Sparks, meanwhile, are stuck in their rebuild limbo, with several veterans on long-term contracts and just Rae Burrell on an expiring contract.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 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 5 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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