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

The boy bore no signs of scrapes or skin punctures, so the family initially didn’t take him for medical care. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 29 June 2026 Sure enough, all tires were up and there were no obvious punctures or hissing sounds. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026

Verb

Both human and artificial, and tantalizingly difficult to parse, the screams puncture the track’s otherwise steamy atmosphere, like a reminder of reality in the middle of a dreamy reverie. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026 Guess explained that the suspects likely used a sharp object like a screwdriver or a pair of scissors to scrape and puncture the canvas. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for puncture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture

Noun

The former pro boxer hyped him up as the audience cheered and, once on stage, performed a fake-out punch over Hernández’s head.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026
Rocky Graziano scores a technical knockout with a barrage of 30 punches against Tony Zale in the sixth round to win the world middleweight boxing title.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

In his first international meeting with England, Messi had a pair of assists on two late-match daggers that pierced through the hearts of Three Lions’ players and supporters.

— Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Finally, in 2024 in Chicago, in an accidental shooting, the same bullet pierced a 16-year-old boy and a policeman.

— Cal Chengqi Fang, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Definition of pierce

Verb

Five years later, Conservative lawmaker Amess was stabbed multiple times in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 July 2026
Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Definition of stab

Noun

Before suffering a season-ending ACL tear against Illinois in February, Cason was in the midst of a breakout campaign.

— Tobias Bass, New York Times, 14 July 2026
That was until this weekend, when Graham died unexpectedly after a trip overseas from a life-threatening condition caused by a tear in his aorta, the body's main artery.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of tear

Verb

If that weren’t enough, after Toronto made a hoop, Salaun drilled another triple to clinch the win, putting her thumb and two fingers in the air on her way back down the court.

— Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Gauff drilled her footwork, working to optimize her explosive speed for a slippery surface on which hard stops and aggressive sprinting can often backfire.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

Zverev, who won the French Open and is seeking back-to-back Grand Slam titles, uses an insulin pen when needed to jab the top of his thigh during changeovers on court.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Two of the points on the rear treble hook were jabbed deeply into the flesh on the outside of the pike’s mouth.

— Jack G. Mell, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026

Definition of jab

Noun

One padded strap crossed the foot, while small perforations covered the vamp and a slim gold insert ran vertically toward the toe.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Most models come with a carrying case that’s designed to protect the blades and keep the whole thing dry with perforations or vents.

— Sara Coughlin, Allure, 5 July 2026

Definition of perforation

Verb

Her breasts poke at the thin fabric of her gown, and there are shadows in the folds of the bed linen.

— Diane Williams, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
This included one of their players poking a finger into the ear of the Belgian penalty-spot protector Diego Moreira, and responding to the reactionary elbow to the tummy by going down, and staying down, on top of the penalty mark.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of poke

Browse Nearby Words

punctuating

puncture

punctured

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Style

“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of puncture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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