puncture 1 of 2

noun

ˈpəŋk-chər How to pronounce puncture (audio)
Definition of puncturenext
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

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puncture

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
The family was not present Friday for the medical examiner’s testimony, which featured graphic autopsy photos including two puncture wounds to the chest and abdomen that the medical examiner determined caused the victim’s death. — Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 The neighbor also suffered a puncture wound during the fight, police said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
People didn’t buy the Old Hollywood Grande of the early 2020s; her headlines punctured the wholesome façade. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Images of Russian delivery warehouses and refineries ablaze have punctured the veneer of safety Moscow has tried to maintain four years into the war. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for puncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture
  1. punch
  2. pierce
  3. stab
  4. tear
  5. drill
  6. jab
  7. perforation
  8. poke
Noun
  • The legality of the punch is what's in dispute, Crump argues.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The pair quickly started shoving each other, both of them getting in a couple punches, before security stopped the fight and separated the prisoners.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of punch
Verb
  • More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • As part of the plea, Marodi also admitted to having a prior serious felony conviction stemming from the 2000 stabbing death of her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The teen stabbed a police officer with a knife and stole his weapon -- a 9mm pistol -- just before the incident, then used it to carry out the attack.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • The chance for McCarthy to lead his hometown team brought the first-year Pittsburgh Steelers coach to tears when he was hired in January.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Were my tears simply the cumulative effect of relaxation, beauty, and time in unusually close quarters with strangers encouraged to be vulnerable?
    — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of tear
Verb
  • The two-time All-Star shot 4 of 6 from the field and drilled two 3s.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Even then, the hope was to drill this winter, and not more than a year from now.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of drill
Verb
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu jabbed back against the prevailing narrative yesterday, saying she was never invited to participate in the WNBA’s 3-point contest this weekend.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • The space is also equipped with 18-way adaptive sport seats featuring 14,417 perforations organized to form a coherent visual pattern and a headrest with a special 75th anniversary logo.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Michelle Buzz of the American alternative pop duo Haute & Freddy brought a Victorian shoe look to the stage with a calf-height white boot featuring a lace-up shaft, sculptural block heel and perforations.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of perforation
Verb
  • Dike was waiting in the middle to poke it home, giving Orlando a 1-0 lead.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of poke

Browse Nearby Words

punctuating
puncture
punctured
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on puncture

Nglish: Translation of puncture for Spanish Speakers

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