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
Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
But an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
Multiply the rain’s lances, multiply their ruin, the grace born from subtraction as the hold’s iron door
rolled over their eyes like pots left out in the rain,
and the bolt rammed home its echo, the way that thunder-
claps perpetuate their reverberation.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Points are scored if a rider breaks the tip of their lances on the other rider's shield.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Verb
This week, an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
But an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
-
As the tip of the spear for strategic deterrence, [ballistic missile submarine] operations demonstrate the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, global reach and capability of our undersea force.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
-
The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
After slaughtering the other contenders and attacking students at the dance, Dan is unmasked after Lori stabs him in the eye with her crown.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
When Jayden tried to intervene, Brand stabbed him as well, according to prosecutors and state witnesses.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The Kansas City native excelled in high school track and field as a shot putter, and threw the discus and javelin.—
Bruce Feldman,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
With all of this going on in the house, why, oh why would Jesse Solomon (always both names) hurl himself at Lexi with the velocity of a gold medal javelin throw?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Putin’s absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders amid the intense maneuvering.—
Mehmet Guzel,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Williams driver Carlos Sainz failed to finish after puncturing his tire.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Haliburton, the star Indiana Pacers point guard, appeared to have missed the attempt that would pierce their hearts, turn their stomachs into mush and transform their minds into a cauldron of rage.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Donald Trump continues to jab Taylor Swift over Super Bowl During press interviews for Super Bowl 59, Mahomes' teammate and Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce stoked controversy for praising Trump's plans to attend the two-time reigning champ's big game against the Philadelphia Eagles.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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But the director maintains a strong level of realistic tension, sticking to Camille’s side as the boy takes plenty of blows but dishes out plenty as well, jabbing his way towards a form of self-realization.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Then Tavares basically spent all seven years refusing to pick a lane.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
-
Best new cars in 2025: See Consumer Reports' top picks for reliability, safety and moreNeed a break?—
Nora Eckert,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
Verb
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An animated Wheel Of Time, for instance, could stick closer to the source material while costing a fraction of what a live-action series costs.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Philips sticked away a backhand attempt by Minnesota’s Brooke McQuigge just 35 seconds into overtime, with the Frost forward getting loose in front of the Ottawa net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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