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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of piercing
PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
Some of the most piercing instances in Emilia’s journey rely on Audiard’s penchant for indelible imagery.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
The higher strings aren’t quite as piercing but still shine through.
—PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024
Some of the most piercing instances in Emilia’s journey rely on Audiard’s penchant for indelible imagery.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Her movements were understated and free, her presence magnetic — graceful twirls one moment, piercing eye contact the next.
—Sara Ibrahim, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Her vocals were piercing, pretty and impressive — and that stage presence?
—Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
-
Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Just after dawn on May 29, the swish of chains dragging on asphalt was loud enough to be heard over idling engines.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
Ethical Efficiency insists that systems be designed to truly find and elevate the best solutions, not simply reward the loudest voices or most privileged perspectives.—
Karlo Tanjuakio,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
The thermal conductivity of the lunar surface acts as a blanket and stops some of the sun’s heat from penetrating into the ground.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Every lifestyle guru worth watching has some uniquely irrepressible quality, from the Martha-like obsessiveness with which Gwyneth approaches wellness to Oprah’s talent for penetrating conversation.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Right after that, Kansas will face bitter rival Missouri at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Dec. 7.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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Like every other entrepreneur, Ian had to face bitter betrayal from people who once believed in his vision.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
That visual message was audibly reinforced at a deafening level as the crowd cheered their neighbors who spoke against the proposal and booed a NIPSCO official and other business leaders who spoke in favor of it.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
Sudden showers of beer, cider, and other mysterious fluids became as integral to the vibe as the deafening roar of the crowd.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Avoid entering basements or rooms where electrical outlets or cords are submerged in water.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The reeling Heat put together a quality effort against the talented Celtics, entering halftime with the score tied at 50 and entering the fourth quarter trailing by just one point.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
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According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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