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
Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Mar. 2024
Around 100 spearheads, swords, lances, and chainmail were also found at the site as part of a 1,600-year-old weapon offering.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 11 Feb. 2025
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
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
Around 100 spearheads, swords, lances, and chainmail were also found at the site as part of a 1,600-year-old weapon offering.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 11 Feb. 2025
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
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That means fresh and tender asparagus spears, crunchy snap pea pods, and spicy radishes are in season.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
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Some of the obsidian artifacts, including arrowheads and spear tips, traveled nearly 750 miles from their source, according to Allan.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The passenger who shot him was stabbed in the back and lungs and remains in critical condition, according to CBS News.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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In March, a teen was stabbed in the eye during school hours, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the incident who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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The trip to Paris ended in defeat and while the return leg at Villa Park conjured up both a win and one of the best games of the season, Villa’s European dreams were punctured by Luis Enrique’s men.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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The plotline’s matter-of-fact profanity at once punctured any sense of simplistic morality and underlined that world events always coexist with everyday indignities.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While traveling to Saint Luke’s Hospital aboard an ambulance, the suspect allegedly stabbed Hoffman with a knife, piercing his heart, around 1:25 a.m.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Early Sunday morning, firefighter Graham Hoffman, 29, was in the back of an ambulance transporting a patient to the hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, when he was stabbed in the chest, piercing his heart, according to a press release published on the city's website.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a statement, Mr. Warner praised General Haugh’s leadership and said his removal would not make the country safer, jabbing at the White House for sharing sensitive material on a consumer messaging application and ousting members of the National Security Council staff at the urging of Ms. Loomer.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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The law has long recognized that attorneys should feel free to punch and jab their opponent with threats and intimidation to try to resolve a dispute before filing a lawsuit, because court dockets are jammed with cases and tough talk can help clear the deck.—
Bill Hochberg,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The toppings really make the dish here—pick your favorites!—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
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Steelers’ draft picks Picks will be updated throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, April 24–26.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No calibration, no camera… just plug, stick, and go.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Ukraine has said its ready for peace but a sticking point in talks has been the Russian annexation of Crimea.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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