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
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But don't expect to be taking Instagram-worthy photos at the bottom of the trip – the depths reach the edge of the Midnight Zone, where no sunlight penetrates.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
-
To encourage deeper root growth, reduce the frequency of irrigation after seedlings emerge but increase the duration so that the water penetrates the upper four to six inches of soil.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 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
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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
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Today, as the latest conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel enters its fifth week, nations like India and Mexico are looking at the Brazilian model as a blueprint for energy security.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
By mapping the overall snow depth in the entire basin, researchers can better estimate the annual quantity and timing of meltwater release that enters the Salt River system.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While the woman’s wrists are being held to her sides, Lentz punches her several times, the video shows.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Soundcore 2 is a compact classic that punches well above its weight class with 12W of power and dual neodymium drivers.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 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
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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
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Greg takes Tommy’s advice and finally accesses his inner Rooster.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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In response, Chief Ryan Kinnan said there is an ongoing audit of who accesses the information.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The penetration holes indicate that the internal facility is likely bombed out, destroying anything that was inside.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
How to Limit Attraction Sealing unwanted tiny cracks, gaps in doors or windows, or utility lines, and holes around the home is one of the best ways to prevent ants from gaining access in the first place.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pierces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierces. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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