1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loud
marked by a high volume of sound
the frightened child emitted a piercing shriek that could be heard all over the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in penetrating
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabbing
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 piercing
Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2025
And somehow, though a mother’s grief has got to be the most piercing emotion in the world, what Mescal tells us about a man’s grief ends up having more weight.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 27 Nov. 2025
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Here is an example of a piercing forward run and crisp finish down that side from that fateful afternoon against Granada, not shying away from putting his weaker foot through the ball with the angle closing down.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
Its piercing alarm is activated with the simple press of a button, which also turns on flashing strobe lights.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2025
And somehow, though a mother’s grief has got to be the most piercing emotion in the world, what Mescal tells us about a man’s grief ends up having more weight.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
Darker than silver but not quite as piercing as solid black, black cat-eye tips are edgy and mesmerizing.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026
Here is an example of a piercing forward run and crisp finish down that side from that fateful afternoon against Granada, not shying away from putting his weaker foot through the ball with the angle closing down.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What follows is a crescendo of bloody madness, including a gruesome toenail cutting scene that shouldn’t be viewed while eating, a grandma being eaten alive by a pack of coyotes and a truly bonkers wake that erupts into laugh-out-loud violence thanks to a pair of dentures.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Devotees love how the aluminum walls and constant but surprisingly not-too-loud ventilation keep the air inside fresh, as does a charcoal filter designed to absorb airborne impurities that can creep into bottles through their corks or caps.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Controlled ventilation also helps keep air moving and prevents outside air from penetrating your interior walls and floors.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The aircraft is intended to serve as a core component of the United States’ future bomber fleet, capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads while penetrating advanced air defense systems.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What’s wrong with drilling oil companies?—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
-
As far as drilling a ceramic pot goes, the process is just a bit more involved.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police were called to the area by witnesses who reported a woman was actively stabbing a man.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Delisle pleaded guilty to stabbing his father in April 2025 and lighting the family’s mobile home on fire in the 1000 block of 3rd Street North, according to a judgment of conviction.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The death toll is now declining after years of bitter experience.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The stirring of the home supporters by Rowe, however, made the sound of silence more deafening in the final minute.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Records say the sound created a deafening roar across Copenhagen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reiten recently featured for her national team in UEFA World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia, entering both games as a second-half substitute.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
After entering the game tied at 3 in the ninth, Mets closer Devin Williams allowed two runs in a disastrous final frame to fall to the Twins 5-3 and record their 12th loss in a row, their longest streak since 2002.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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