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.
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Recent Examples of punctures
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
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
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
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
-
Its lacing system moves away from traditional hole punches for all but its two upper eyestays, with the rest replaced by cord loops that allow for a more personalized fit.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This modest but super-smart production punches way above its weight.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 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
-
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
-
When Obama delivered his election-night victory speech in Chicago’s Grant Park in 2008 to a massive crowd of cheering onlookers, the cameras caught Jackson looking on, tears in his eyes.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Garland breaks down into tears as her character recalls her former acquaintance being brought to trial for allegedly breaking racial purity laws.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
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
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
-
Pierce holes in the cake so that the Bourbon Glaze can soak in.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But Snead also promised to take an aggressive approach to the cornerback position, given the low investments, lack of recent draft picks and holes the group showed as the season played out.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Falcons are led by seniors Foster Huang and Ross Jacobson, who were both All-CIF first-team picks last season.—
Breven Honda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Shop our top picks from $15 to get a head start on spring cleaning with kitchen organizers to style your kitchen like a chef.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punctures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctures. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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