Synonyms of pierce

pierce

verb

ˈpirs 

1

as in to penetrate

to go or come in or into

thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

• penetrate
• enter
• access
• set foot in
• step into
• invade
• burst (in or into)
• breeze (in)
• drop in
• pop (in)
• infiltrate
• encroach
• trespass
• intrude
• stray (into)
• waltz (in)
• infringe
• wander (into)
• barge (in)
• gate-crash
• crash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leave
• depart
• exit

2

as in to drill

to make a hole or series of holes in

pierced his ears with a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drill
• punch
• poke
• puncture
• perforate
• bore
• hole
• penetrate
• tap
• cut
• riddle
• prick
• break
• broach
• excavate
• slash
• hollow
• split
• slit
• gouge
• rend
• prickle
• rupture
• burrow (into)
• groove
• notch
• gash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• patch
• seal
• plug

3

as in to stab

to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object

the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stab
• puncture
• pick
• jab
• stick
• peck
• impale
• spit
• lance
• spear
• transfix
• poke
• pink
• skewer
• spike
• harpoon
• run through
• slice
• punch
• gore
• perforate
• transpierce
• cut
• knife
• thrust
• prick
• spindle
• pike
• riddle
• bayonet
• poniard
• prong
• quill
• pinprick
• gimlet
• dirk

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pierce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pierce are enter, penetrate, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When might enter be a better fit than pierce?

While the synonyms enter and pierce are close in meaning, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is penetrate a more appropriate choice than pierce?

While in some cases nearly identical to pierce, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

Where would probe be a reasonable alternative to pierce?

The synonyms probe and pierce are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pierce

Whistle blasts pierced the early January chill in a now-familiar community response employed by activists in US cities to alert neighbors to the presence of immigration officers. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

When the sun goes down, three beams of light will illuminate the sky over the town that was, piercing the darkness that this time last year was lit with the unholy glow of a fire raging, with no end in sight. —Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026

That could foster a political culture where wrongdoing still carries a price and where truth can pierce through the noise long enough for the public to hear it. —Brandon Rottinghaus, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026

That could foster a political culture where wrongdoing still carries a price and where truth can pierce through the noise long enough for the public to hear it. —Brandon Rottinghaus, The Conversation, 5 Jan. 2026