1
as in to pierce
to make a hole or series of holes in
a nail punctured the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
I could never puncture my own skin with a hypodermic needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puncture
Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
In the case of a puncture, the rider will be warned immediately, which prevents further damage to the wheel and improves safety.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 8 May 2026
Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
The Ukrainians used humor to puncture Russian disinformation and to tell the world their side of the story.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Noun
Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
In the case of a puncture, the rider will be warned immediately, which prevents further damage to the wheel and improves safety.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 8 May 2026
Verb
If a foreign object punctures the tread or sidewall, your tire can deflate slowly or quickly, depending on the puncture.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
The Ukrainians used humor to puncture Russian disinformation and to tell the world their side of the story.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture
Verb
-
As Stankiewicz attempted to utter another sentence, the train’s ear-piercing horn sounded.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The county medical examiner said in an autopsy report that Obumseli, who worked in cryptocurrency, died from a forceful downward thrust from a blade that went three inches into his chest, piercing a major artery.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Swan screamed and tried to get up from her seat, but Matthews allegedly held onto her right arm and stabbed her approximately 18 to 20 times, the affidavit says.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Authorities said Anthony admitted stabbing Metcalf and asked whether the teen would be OK.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Swift also feels confident that the 1-2 punch of him and Kyle Monangai can again establish the Bears as one of the most dangerous running teams in the NFL.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
The video of the two, which captures punches, hair pulling, one of them being thrown onto the sidewalk and kicked in the face, was round three according to the person who recorded the action.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Ohtani zipped it in at knee level, and Carroll drilled it into the ground, right to second baseman Alex Freeland.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
After drilling a 3-pointer on the Knicks’ opening possession, Brunson missed his next six shots.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
-
And now, 44 years on, new generations of Villa fans could also cherish the moment when Buendia’s cross was jabbed in from close range by Morgan Rogers for the third, ensuring every Brummie in Istanbul could relax and soak in the game’s final 30 minutes.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Noun
-
After Amanda rushes off the stage in tears and decamps to her dressing room, West declines to go after her, sitting around onstage like a deer in headlights.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Traute burst into tears, and Gertrud looked faint from the heat, ready to slump, to surrender.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch Johnny Carson poke fun at everyone, identify and support up-and-coming comics, entertain with clever and timeless skits, bring on musical guests and tell jokes.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Even Parsons himself poked fun at such notions.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
An in-house florist picks flowers from the gardens daily.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Since November, 50 people had been hospitalized in California after accidentally picking and eating poisonous wild mushrooms, according to the California Department of Public Health.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
