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
In Famesick, Dunham says Driver would habitually yell on set, once even throwing a chair against the wall next to her and puncturing the wall of his trailer with a fist.
—
Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
The tactic has become more popular with smugglers as police on the beaches try to thwart crossings by puncturing the rafts that groups of migrants have to inflate and carry to the water.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Iranian strikes on the city now appear to be puncturing the cycle, putting pressure on residential and commercial property prices — and on the people whose jobs depend on them.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Wi-Fi 7's puncturing capability is designed to isolate the interference, enabling devices to use the remainder of the channel.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Riachi created the custom travertine fireplace with a walnut surround, puncturing it with vertical openings and linear alabaster wall sconces to echo the screens in the entrance hall.
—Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 29 Mar. 2026
Production quirks like volume and pitch changes, multiple beat switches, brash sonic redirections punctuated by everything from samples of glass shattering to synth stabs puncturing through sheaths of filters, make for a kind of chaotic symphony that feels deliriously of the moment.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
According to a February 2025 indictment, the five soldiers beat the man, dragging him across the floor, stepping on his body, breaking his ribs and puncturing a lung.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026
The tactic has become more popular with smugglers as police on the beaches try to thwart crossings by puncturing the rafts that groups of migrants have to inflate and carry to the water.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Iranian strikes on the city now appear to be puncturing the cycle, putting pressure on residential and commercial property prices — and on the people whose jobs depend on them.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Wi-Fi 7's puncturing capability is designed to isolate the interference, enabling devices to use the remainder of the channel.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Riachi created the custom travertine fireplace with a walnut surround, puncturing it with vertical openings and linear alabaster wall sconces to echo the screens in the entrance hall.
—Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 29 Mar. 2026
Production quirks like volume and pitch changes, multiple beat switches, brash sonic redirections punctuated by everything from samples of glass shattering to synth stabs puncturing through sheaths of filters, make for a kind of chaotic symphony that feels deliriously of the moment.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Traditionally, Oscars hosts have been at their best when puncturing the pretensions of the stars in attendance, but for the most part, host Conan O’Brien bought into their sense of their own righteousness.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
According to a February 2025 indictment, the five soldiers beat the man, dragging him across the floor, stepping on his body, breaking his ribs and puncturing a lung.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puncturing
Verb
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One thing that tacticians noticed in the closing months of the war was how lighter, faster tanks were effective when used as offensive tools, piercing through enemy lines in order to flank enemy formations.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
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When used correctly, that power can be harnessed for good, heightening the citrus fruit’s bright, piercing notes to soaring new heights.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The man was later convicted of stabbing his girlfriend and is serving 15 years in prison for the attack.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Preliminary information indicated the stabbing victim may have been mistaken for another person, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Brown declared, pulling a handle that started drilling the first hole of soil tests for a subway that planners estimated could be built in just three years.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
For producers, prices were high enough to turn a profit but not high enough to justify sending a bunch of drilling rigs out to boost production.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The president has kept up his criticism of Leo, jabbing the pope in a May 4 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on the eve of Rubio’s visit.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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In the 10 months since, Colbert has not held back, regularly jabbing his network, its new owners’ cozy relationship with the president and reports that his show was hemorrhaging $40 million a year.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Lee was arrested April 3 in the 9300 block of Cicero Avenue after punching a man at a nearby gas station, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Either apply the product to the back of your hand before picking it up with a brush, or simply swipe it directly onto your cheeks, tapping it in with your fingertips.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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Beers was also aggressive defensively, picking Stewart’s pocket for a steal in the second quarter.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Here, Ibrahima Konate has the simple task of poking the ball through United’s midfield, Wirtz swaps passes with Szoboszlai, and then has a decent attempt at goal.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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At one point, Davies can be seen sticking her head out of the open window and waving to park officials below.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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For most of her first two seasons, the league treated her like just another player, sticking her on the back of posters and leaving her out of promos.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Puncturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puncturing. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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