as in piercing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
transfixed the inanimate butterfly specimens to the collection board
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of transfixing
What makes Sam McConnell’s film transfixing, however, is the very personal nature of the drama, written by star Brock Yurich and clearly inspired by his own story.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Brazen, physical, able to do more with one (yes) intense gesture than with reams of dialogue, his Bullseye is transfixing.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Brazen, physical, able to do more with one (yes) intense gesture than with reams of dialogue, his Bullseye is transfixing.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transfixing
Verb
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On the other hand, however, take a step back and the world-building is jaw-dropping; on a big screen, Rogue Trooper is almost overwhelming, and Barnard becomes an almost godlike presence by the end with his piercing white eyes (don’t worry, it’s explained).
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If discovering tiny insect casings or sticky residue, this often indicates those insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that slowly siphon sap from plants, depleting their ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis.
Verb
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The film centers on a New York murder trial where a teenage boy is accused of stabbing his abusive dad and a jury has the kid's fate in their hands.
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In one instance, the suspect is accused of personally taking part in the killing by stabbing a victim in the chest with a knife, the prosecutors said.
Verb
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As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.
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Better known by her pseudonymous social media handle Jerry Gogosian, Helphenstein left behind a complicated legacy, puncturing art world pieties with both satirical and serious memes and occasionally making inflammatory statements.
Verb
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The audience groaned, while Vergara and Mel B screamed for Strange to stop jabbing at his partner through the box.
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The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.
Verb
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One of the first tips for picking the perfect melon is its weight.
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That would take the power of picking your replacement out of the hands of voters.
Verb
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Working with 5 to 6 pieces at a time, remove fish from batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot oil, briefly dragging fish along surface of oil to prevent sticking.
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Many Venezuelan news reports have avoided politically delicate questions related to the earthquake, such as the widespread collapse of buildings, sticking instead to safer stories about heroic rescues.
Cite this Entry
“Transfixing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transfixing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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