1
as in penetrates
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drills
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pierces
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.
—
Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.
—Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the way the director works, emotions tend to be more discussed than felt, although there’s something about Carla’s desperation that pierces through all the soberness.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Nov. 2025
But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
When a leg pierces the surface, capillary forces cause the fan to spread open within milliseconds, creating a broad paddle.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.
—Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the way the director works, emotions tend to be more discussed than felt, although there’s something about Carla’s desperation that pierces through all the soberness.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.
—Jennifer Brett, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Nov. 2025
But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
When a leg pierces the surface, capillary forces cause the fan to spread open within milliseconds, creating a broad paddle.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierces
Verb
-
After sauce has cooked, submerge meatballs and cook on high for 1 hour to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce penetrates every crevice of the hearty meat dish.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
For most mammals, water quickly penetrates wet fur and directly contacts the skin, eliminating the coat’s key benefit.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The nonprofit drills wells to provide clean water.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Providence and Lincoln-Way West move up, while Sandburg enters topsy-turvy rankings.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The replay shows the puck enters the goal just below the crossbar and caroms off the frame at the back of the net.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite its small size, South Korea punches way above its weight culturally — and the Western world has taken notice.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
This speaker punches well above its weight!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This suite is reached from a hall off the entry foyer, which also accesses the home’s second half bath.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Greg takes Tommy’s advice and finally accesses his inner Rooster.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 May 2026
-
The flight attendants then attempted to solve the problem by shoving napkins inside the ceiling holes.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pierces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierces. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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