pierce

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

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 pierce News and weather reports record that smoke blotted out the Sun on one out of every three days, and sometimes sunlight never pierced the darkness. Robert Wyss, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 Her infectious laugh regularly pierces the newsroom noise. Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025 Their daring heist pierced the nation’s self-image, too. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025 The current Gators football era is reaching an ear-piercing crescendo. Noah White, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pierce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce
Verb
  • These small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and can be a cause of conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, according to health officials.
    Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Lecter’s main power was his penetrating thinking and sustained intuiting.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The aim is to drill the first well slowly, entering five different geologic zones and testing for oil and gas in each of them.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The man accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge that could result in the death penalty, court records show.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Mechanic Paolo Mainardi and dressmaker Antonella Migliorini were found shot and stabbed the following June.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • LaJoie said Head Start is also required to connect families to dental and health care for kids who enter the program.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In an exclusive interview with Fortune, Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi said that while the White House may be aiming to lift sentiment ahead of midterms, the Fed fears rising unemployment and political blowback if America enters a recession.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Which American League powerhouse will punch a ticket to the World Series?
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The moon is covered with about 10 meters of regolith, a mix of dust, ash and rocks punctured by craters and boulders—not pristine landing pads.
    Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Your skin was punctured by an outside cat.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Car buyers may face elevated prices and a shortage of some vehicles due to a supply chain snarled by tariffs and challenges accessing crucial materials, some industry experts told ABC News.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • And a recent study found 30% of families who access food pantries have incomes that don’t qualify for federal benefits, but are still food insecure.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title defense at UFC 321 ended in chaos after Ciryl Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes late in the first round.
    Antonio Losada, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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