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
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
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierces
Verb
-
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
-
Why Oven Temperature Matters For Baked Potatoes Oven temperature determines how heat penetrates the potato, affecting how the starches inside gelatinize and soften.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 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
-
Final phase of Vail Pass construction underway Further west, construction is also resuming on Vail Pass as CDOT enters the final phase of a multi-year improvement project.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Season 2 enters the year with similar ambitions.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On instinct, Lindsay punches her in the face.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Seconds later, the man in a New York police vest punches the unidentified man in the face.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 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
-
The appliances are all stainless steel while the breakfast area, which has ample space for a large table, is close to the slider that accesses the large rear deck.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Greg takes Tommy’s advice and finally accesses his inner Rooster.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mirroring the 3-star wig cap structure, this wig featured three combs (left-side, right-side, nape), a drawstring, wig band insertion holes, and a 13×4 lace.—
Noel Cymone Walker,
StyleCaster,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pierces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierces. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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