as in punches
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
1
as in pierces
to make a hole or series of holes in
a nail punctured the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stabs
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
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Recent Examples of punctures
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Video from the scene shows water shooting out from at least six punctures in the fire hose.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
She was treated for what amounted to antler punctures to her chest and legs, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Microneedling, also a popular cosmetic procedure, creates microscopic punctures in the skin to produce a similar effect, but does not use radiofrequency.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 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
Battery systems based on it are also potentially safer (less prone to thermal runaway, may handle punctures better).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
The small punctures left by microneedling may help hair loss treatments—like minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—penetrate deeper into the skin.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Recounting his visit with Shelton’s body after she’d been taken off of life support in From Bleak to Dark, Maron punctures the somber scene with a joke about taking a selfie.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Its extended durability reflects lessons learned from Curiosity, its predecessor, whose wheels accumulated an increasing number of dings and punctures after encountering terrain sharper and more rugged than anticipated.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Video from the scene shows water shooting out from at least six punctures in the fire hose.
—Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
She was treated for what amounted to antler punctures to her chest and legs, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
Microneedling, also a popular cosmetic procedure, creates microscopic punctures in the skin to produce a similar effect, but does not use radiofrequency.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 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
Battery systems based on it are also potentially safer (less prone to thermal runaway, may handle punctures better).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
The small punctures left by microneedling may help hair loss treatments—like minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—penetrate deeper into the skin.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
But Anderson punctures his weed haze with the bright light of a past that in actuality never dimmed, when Lockjaw begins to hunt Pat and Willa.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Recounting his visit with Shelton’s body after she’d been taken off of life support in From Bleak to Dark, Maron punctures the somber scene with a joke about taking a selfie.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctures
Noun
-
Fans chanted along for 10 count punches on Randy Orton, but Trick Williams once again got involved, making the most out of his status as the only heel in the ring.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Timberwolves began to sling 3-pointers and slam dunks, but the Bulls took those punches on the chin, holding off the onslaught by forcing second-chance points and drawing fouls.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.—
Jennifer Brett,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Milo tries to be a hero, trying to use pepper spray on Morgan, but Morgan stabs and kills him.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Percy, now carrying the Golden Fleece, runs toward the elevator, but Luke stabs him through the closing doors.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In 2022, Japanese researchers found that dogs produced tears when reuniting with their humans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Blum looked around, stunned with tears welling in her eyes.—
Aaron Sullivan,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.—
Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Haggard jabs Baird over mailers The race is already tense.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Some of the roster holes the Lions faced in 2025 will be questions again in 2026.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In a series of posts made Wednesday on Instagram, Dacoda Nichole Jones accused the former SMU player of domestic violence over the course of several years, posting more than a dozen images that show bruises and wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The robot picks unsorted bearing rings and places them onto a buffer table.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Our top picks start at $16, with some even on sale, too.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctures. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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