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
Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
There were also punctures on the outer table of the skull, injuries to the teeth and tongue, and a hemorrhage into the chest cavities, according to the filing.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
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
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
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
Stimulates skin renewal through tiny needle punctures, improving texture and firmness.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
There were also punctures on the outer table of the skull, injuries to the teeth and tongue, and a hemorrhage into the chest cavities, according to the filing.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
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
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
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
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
-
Brown responds by shoving the officer's hand down, and after the second shove, the officer throws two punches.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But amid the coronation for their crosstown rival, Gottlieb was looking for anything that told her this Trojans team could take some punches and also give some back in March.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Lower the heat to medium-high and cook, gently stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and a paring knife easily pierces a potato, about 15 minutes.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Ford fought back tears, thanking his fellow actors, writers and directors.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Once the tears start flowing, your nervous system’s relaxation response can start to kick in.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
-
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In another moment, long-time rivals Jett and Mane exchange jabs against one another over a livestream as thousands of roarball fans tune in and cheer them on in the comments.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Srinivas, who often jabs the search engine giant, made an interesting point.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The posts included more than a dozen images that showed bruises and other wounds on her body, holes in the wall and broken cabinets.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Pierce holes in the cake so that the Bourbon Glaze can soak in.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oil surges as Iran picks Khamenei’s son as supreme leader, but comes off a tad after the Financial Times reported about talks on a possible coordinated release of reserves.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Shop our favorite statement picks and goes-with-everything bags to complete every outfit.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctures. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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