PUNCTURE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

puncture 1 of 2

noun

ˈpəŋk-chər

Definition of puncture

as in prick

a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument a leak caused by several small punctures in the rubber gasket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

puncture

2 of 2

verb

as in to pierce

to make a hole or series of holes in a nail punctured the tire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Noun

Norris got through next, and Piastri, who had made an extra stop for a slow puncture, took fifth from Hamilton on the final lap, leaving him sixth. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Lemmo Lemmo's gone with a 960-Wh semi-solid state battery, which reportedly allows for up to 110 miles (180 km) of range and won't go up in flames from punctures or thermal runaway incidents. — New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Executioners spent more than two hours trying to find a vein, possibly puncturing his bladder before giving up. — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026 Like the earlier series, this one readily acknowledges how real-world horrors can puncture even a relative safe space like Hillman. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puncture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture

Noun

As the officer attempted to handcuff Bowman, the video shows Bowman move his hand toward the officer's hands before the punches.

— Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Pocket-sized Hong Kong packs more of a punch than its 430-square-mile size might suggest.

— Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

For Crystal, this occurred at the end of 2025, his annus horribilis, when Reiner and wife Michelle were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood home.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The teen accused of fatally stabbing a homeless Roseville woman faced a judge and the woman’s family Tuesday during his first court appearance in the slaying.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of stab

Noun

In a recent rare interview with chum Matthew McConaughey, Bryan suggested that his songwriting-and-touring tear since leaving the Navy may be coming to a close soon.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Last season, Steichen could point to Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles tear in Week 14 last year as the Colts' season unraveled.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of tear

Verb

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz drilled a 53-yard field goal in overtime to elevate Denver to a 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Public-health and environmental advocates have also raised concerns about drilling near communities, including potential air- and water-quality harms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

Rainbow continued to jab the secretary of health as his primary opposition throughout the parody of the Frank Loesser song.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Then, inside the death house, executioners struggled to find a vein, jabbing Pike with at least seven needles, according to her lawyers, one of whom watched in dismay.

— Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of jab

Noun

Testers dropped heavy weights from considerable heights onto the containers and used metal fangs to make stabs at perforation.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
If swallowed, the magnets can attract each other or metal objects inside the body, potentially causing intestinal perforations, twisting, blockages, blood poisoning, or death, the CPSC says.

— Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of perforation

Verb

Ask it to poke holes and give you the strongest case against something.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Kessler, standing nearby during Williams’ postgame news conference, poked his head out from behind a black curtain and gave his teammate a thumbs-up.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poke

Browse Nearby Words

punctuating

puncture

punctured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of puncture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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