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
Wes Siler, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
The onboard video from the Racing Bulls car reveals Lawson’s split-second oversteer snap correction played a big part in the collision that left both with punctures.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Perhaps nothing vital had been punctured.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Noun
In a best case scenario, this will force you to immediately seek out a tire shop in the event of a puncture.
—Wes Siler, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
The onboard video from the Racing Bulls car reveals Lawson’s split-second oversteer snap correction played a big part in the collision that left both with punctures.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Spiders have venom to subdue prey, but the majority have fangs that are too tiny to puncture human skin.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Perhaps nothing vital had been punctured.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncture
Verb
-
Produced before the gag order was lifted, the four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho turns its focus to the families, friends and community members still wrestling with the aftermath, offering a piercing look at a case with many unanswered questions.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The grotesque details—the uncle’s fingernails piercing his hands, the dog’s permanent terror of rabbits—are simply there.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The man accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge that could result in the death penalty, court records show.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Mechanic Paolo Mainardi and dressmaker Antonella Migliorini were found shot and stabbed the following June.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
We were bullied, after all, by the older teenagers who beat us on a regular basis, bloodied our mouths with one punch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Fergie, whose musical history with Cris goes back to 2007, flew in from Los Angeles, made a rare return to the stage to deliver a one-two punch of hits.—
Shaheem Reid,
VIBE.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The aim is to drill the first well slowly, entering five different geologic zones and testing for oil and gas in each of them.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To their right, a woman raised her hand, jabbing her index finger forward and shouting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, several injuries, including a 2023 ACL tear, limited him to just 17 games over the last two seasons, and he's already missed one game this season due to a concussion.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Fix window and door screens Because of their small size, adult fruit flies can easily get in through cracks and tears in bug screens.—
Emma Ashe,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title defense at UFC 321 ended in chaos after Ciryl Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes late in the first round.—
Antonio Losada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Choose your adventure and pick three or pick six from activities not included with admission like apple blasters, paint ball, bungee trampoline, rock wall, mechanical bull, fountain drink, fudge, snow cone, animal feed and cookies.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Imagine being able to pick fresh oranges right outside your back door, or even better right inside your kitchen.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncture. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share