as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lance
Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026
The nest hoards of bearded vultures in southern Spain, where the species is extinct, were found to harbor such human artifacts as a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, a wooden lance, and a shoe with an approximate age of 675 years.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the nighttime skies over the latter lighted with bursts of yellow as missiles from Israel’s Arrow defense system lanced up to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
As the horses gallop and the lances shatter, Egg whoops like a ringside spectator at WrestleMania.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2026
The nest hoards of bearded vultures in southern Spain, where the species is extinct, were found to harbor such human artifacts as a crossbow bolt, a slingshot, a wooden lance, and a shoe with an approximate age of 675 years.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
Verb
Robinson, 22, is accused of firing a single bullet that lanced Kirk’s neck during a public appearance on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the nighttime skies over the latter lighted with bursts of yellow as missiles from Israel’s Arrow defense system lanced up to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
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Smashing the spears with a rolling pin and dressing them in lemon and olive oil magically tenderizes the otherwise tough veg.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
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And for years after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, no theatrical distributors or streamers would touch Desert Warrior with a ten-foot throwing spear.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Marcus Semien hit a chopper down the left side, which Jorbit Vivas stabbed at wildly while missing it badly.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Police in Antioch are investigating after a man was fatally stabbed during an altercation at home over the weekend.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The first field events of 2026 are a series of high school girls championships, including discus throw, shot put, long jump, high jump and javelin throw.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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In addition to the heptathlon, Feyerabend competes for the Aztecs in the open high jump and javelin, where she is ranked third in the Mountain West.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By the end of the learning unit, Burton said growth in the children could be seen as their vocabularies expanded to using words such as thermometer, blood pressure and punctured.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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By the end of the learning unit, Burton said growth in the children could be seen as their vocabularies expanded to using words such as thermometer, blood pressure and punctured.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Bruce Springsteen’s greatest gift was mythologizing the existential open graves swallowing up blue-collar workers, Mellencamp’s was his piercing ability to at once celebrate and dismantle agrarian fantasy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
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Another firefighter told investigators Lewin also choked the patient after jabbing his eyes.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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Evgeni Malkin was good-naturedly jabbing the media for asking about his future in Pittsburgh.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For Daniels, getting picked was going to be a relief.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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When picking your tomatillos, go for a medium size and look for smooth pieces with no cracks or bruises.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All have at least made it to the moon, although only Firefly’ lander stuck its landing successfully.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
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Get him to smell that ocean breeze, stick his feet in the sand — really relax.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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