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
Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Rattlesnake bite symptoms include puncture wounds, swelling, bleeding, pain, agitation or depression, according to UC Davis.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Iranian strikes on the city now appear to be puncturing the cycle, putting pressure on residential and commercial property prices — and on the people whose jobs depend on them.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Noun
The victim was taken with a puncture wound to the left hand to Stroger Hospital where he was listed in good condition, police said.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Rattlesnake bite symptoms include puncture wounds, swelling, bleeding, pain, agitation or depression, according to UC Davis.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The revelation of the pardon punctured a perception of Orbán’s government, held by many, as the defender of Christian and family values.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Iranian strikes on the city now appear to be puncturing the cycle, putting pressure on residential and commercial property prices — and on the people whose jobs depend on them.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture
Verb
-
The Teen Mom star shared a joint post on Instagram with her daughter Sophia after the teenager got ear gauges and her belly button pierced.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Branches pierced the roof over their living room and their bedroom.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deborah Kennedy, 40, was found stabbed to death inside her Southfield home on the 24000 Block of Lee Baker.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But Fahim forced himself into the bathroom and killed Bahm, also stabbing him more than 40 times.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Like the best dark comedies, its emotional gut-punch (in this case, near the end) isn't sentimental but happens organically, catching you by surprise.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
In Beast, every punch thrown carries consequences beyond the scoreboard.—
Sean Sennett,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senior catcher Olivia Picciola promptly drilled a two-run double for Lockport, creating a 6-6 tie in a game that featured four ties and four lead changes.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Both players were running on the 1-and-2 pitch to José Caballero, who drilled a line drive into left center.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The public jabs from the president have also angered some Catholics, the single largest religious denomination in the United States, according to Pew Research Center.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
For a piece in this week’s issue, Dhruv Khullar, a practicing physician and a contributing writer, investigated this growing industry, speaking to the doctors who are tinkering with compounds and the users gamely jabbing themselves in a quest for self-optimization.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lies, tears and an apology Testimony from multiple witnesses suggested that many of those involved were misled — and, at times, misled one another.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
And there will surely be a cascade of tears and terrors in-between.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officers poked a hole in the bag and found the elder Ordonez's body.—
Annasofia Scheve,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
France has one of the highest top income tax rates in the European Union and Briere’s treatment sparked a flurry of social media commentary in France, with some poking fun at the taxman’s pursuit of the government’s dues.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Our critic picks 17 unmissable works of art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Stromer was a four-star recruit out of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School, ranked in ESPN’s top 50 prep prospects from the class of 2023, and picked Gonzaga over UCLA.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
