1
as in piercing
to make a hole or series of holes in
a nail punctured the tire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stabbing
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 puncturing
Testing is also challenging, as finding a leak requires puncturing the spinal canal, which can create new leaks.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
The past two months of mostly sideways churn within 3% of record highs for the S & P 500 has helped to rebalance the market, puncturing the aggressive sense of destiny around many AI plays, subduing some speculative misbehavior and allowing valuations to settle.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
Pinjar thus starts out with Hamida’s disgust, puncturing notions of maternal affection revered in mainstream South Asian (and other) narratives.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
In a separate case in February, five Israeli reservists were charged over the beating and stabbing of a detainee, accused in an indictment of breaking the man’s ribs, puncturing his lung and tearing his rectum.
—Daniele Hamamdjian, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2025
Wi-Fi 7's puncturing capability is designed to isolate the interference, enabling devices to use the remainder of the channel.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KGAN, the woman had been kicked by Miller, breaking two of her ribs and puncturing a lung.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
These posts implicitly criticize the government by puncturing its narrative of economic progress.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
The past two months of mostly sideways churn within 3% of record highs for the S & P 500 has helped to rebalance the market, puncturing the aggressive sense of destiny around many AI plays, subduing some speculative misbehavior and allowing valuations to settle.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
Pinjar thus starts out with Hamida’s disgust, puncturing notions of maternal affection revered in mainstream South Asian (and other) narratives.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
In a separate case in February, five Israeli reservists were charged over the beating and stabbing of a detainee, accused in an indictment of breaking the man’s ribs, puncturing his lung and tearing his rectum.
—Daniele Hamamdjian, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2025
Wi-Fi 7's puncturing capability is designed to isolate the interference, enabling devices to use the remainder of the channel.
—Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
According to a criminal complaint obtained by KGAN, the woman had been kicked by Miller, breaking two of her ribs and puncturing a lung.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
These posts implicitly criticize the government by puncturing its narrative of economic progress.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncturing
Verb
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They have been placed one by one atop dressmaker pins, piercing the appendage all over.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
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The iconic spire of the Sustainability & Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai rises in the background, subtly piercing the mist.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brown is accused of stabbing Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte light rail train last year, a brutal attack that drew national outrage after surveillance video of the killing was released.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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The man accused of stabbing a Butler County Sheriff's Office deputy has been charged, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Miles came out aggressive, scoring 11 of TCU’s 19 points in the first quarter, including drilling a 3-pointer.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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Participants can watch Forest Preserve District naturalists demonstrate how to tap a maple tree, then try drilling and setting their own tap, according to a press release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mourinho shot off down the touchline, fingers jabbing the air, hugging a ballboy in jubilation.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Though none of the celebrity moms in question have publicly spoken about the drama, earlier this week, Koma, whom has also produced several of Duff's songs in the past, shared a meme to his Instagram Story jabbing Tisdale French's piece in The Cut.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan Velez was slapped with charges of assault and reckless endangerment Wednesday for allegedly punching Manuel Rivera, his 39-year-old cousin, to the ground near Rockaway Blvd.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
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For about 17 years, McDonald-Foster ran her Crave Cafe out of a small, beige-yellow house barely punching 1,000 square feet and without a dishwasher.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The recent first-time Emmy nominee is being careful picking new roles.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
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Flanking Arraez at first base will likely be Rafael Devers, who is still learning the position after picking it up last season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shorebirds and seagulls waded along a sandbar, poking their beaks into the sand to hunt for food.—
Max Chesnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Ink decorates her hands and wrists, poking out from under the sleeves of her gray cashmere cardigan.—
Nicola Dall'Asen,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Game director Cary Trzcinski made sure emotions did not boil over and lead to a melee, sticking his thick body and fierce game face into one brewing moment in the second half.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Spray the rack with cooking spray to keep food from sticking.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puncturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncturing. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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