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
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 punctures
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
This design allows for enhanced thermal stability and resistance to physical damage such as punctures.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
The minimally invasive technique uses small needle punctures instead of larger surgical incisions, which can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for patients.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
In addition to the two smaller punctures, there were also dents and creases.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 4 June 2026
After parking at the gate, the plane was found to have three punctures on the fuselage.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 4 June 2026
Deep punctures can allow entry points for bacteria, so check your produce occasionally and use any bruised or damaged items early to keep them from spoiling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
The pay reality punctures that myth entirely.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
In worst-case scenarios, the ice punctures the hull.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.
—Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Note that good quality options are made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or polyester fabric that resists tears and punctures.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
This design allows for enhanced thermal stability and resistance to physical damage such as punctures.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
The minimally invasive technique uses small needle punctures instead of larger surgical incisions, which can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for patients.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
In addition to the two smaller punctures, there were also dents and creases.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 4 June 2026
After parking at the gate, the plane was found to have three punctures on the fuselage.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 4 June 2026
Deep punctures can allow entry points for bacteria, so check your produce occasionally and use any bruised or damaged items early to keep them from spoiling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Attenborough communicated with the tribe using gestures, looked at their personal ornaments and enquired about the pegs in the ritual punctures in the nose of one of the men.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
The pay reality punctures that myth entirely.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
If a foreign object punctures the tread or sidewall, your tire can deflate slowly or quickly, depending on the puncture.
—Jason Fogelson, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
In worst-case scenarios, the ice punctures the hull.
—Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.
—Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
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
-
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter’s latest is a crisp and candid twee pop record with unexpected studio touches and gut punches.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
-
No such punches could be seen on the video.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His right-hand man, Bishop, pulls an Iago on him and stabs him in the back by emptying his bullets.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike standard eye drops that get washed away by tears within minutes, living eye drops use bacteria that colonize the eye and continuously release therapeutic proteins after a single application.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
Her husband Ve Bui accepted the honor, holding back tears.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
He is hyperfocused on details and drills home teaching points relentlessly.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … OUT OF LEFT FIELD — Tom Hanks jokingly jabs MS NOW while speaking with reporter live on the network.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
But following elite competition is nearly impossible, with subtle flicks and jabs practically invisible to the naked eye—and competitors hidden behind masks.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pants have perforations behind the knees, allowing air to pass through.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
-
The Swiss cheese descriptor is derived from the fenestrations or window-like perforations in its foliage.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Caulk holes around plumbing and sewer lines where roaches are likely to enter.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
-
Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctures. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
