1
as in penetrated
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilled
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pierced
Branches pierced the roof over their living room and their bedroom.
—
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Cover pot and steam until bottoms of artichokes are very tender when pierced to the center with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes.
—Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Rieger Lorenz hit the crossbar in OT1 … and then senior captain Kent Anderson pierced the veil in OT2.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The bullet pierced the 49-year-old guard’s spine, according to prosecutors, who said the victim endured seven hours of surgery and may be paralyzed.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pierced
Noel Brennan, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Cover pot and steam until bottoms of artichokes are very tender when pierced to the center with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes.
—Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Rieger Lorenz hit the crossbar in OT1 … and then senior captain Kent Anderson pierced the veil in OT2.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The bullet pierced the 49-year-old guard’s spine, according to prosecutors, who said the victim endured seven hours of surgery and may be paralyzed.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pierced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierced
Verb
-
The 26-page report describes two stab wounds — one to the right abdomen that perforated the liver and another to the left chest that penetrated an intercostal space.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Strong start Banchero penetrated the paint early and often and didn’t settle on the offensive end of the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Within two minutes of checking in Sunday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Scheierman drilled a three and pulled down two offensive rebounds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
One out later, Carruthers drilled a two-out RBI single to center to stretch the lead to 5-1.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Two people were stabbed in north London on Wednesday in an attack that police have now formally declared a terrorist incident, prompting a major emergency response and an ongoing counterterrorism investigation.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After initially being given three to four months to live, Sasse, 54, entered a clinical trial for a drug called daraxonrasib, an oral therapy (pill) that is designed to block the defective gene that triggers uncontrolled cellular growth.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Mata was also concerned about how the data failed to display how INA staff works with the lowest English proficiency students in the district — specifically those who are unschooled, and oftentimes refugees who have just entered the country.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The would-be robbery victim did not need medical attention after being punched.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The hero worship was eventually punctured, though, and in the nineteenth century Leonardo and Michelangelo would become the twin heads of Renaissance art genius.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The scissors work great, but because the props team punctured the uterus to assist in the incision, the amniotic liquid started leaking out, seeping into the prosthetic torso Wolf is strapped into.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First off, the man in question actually was an expert—not only better trained in depicting the human body (a study not easily accessed by young women of the haute bourgeoisie) but one of the great painters of the nineteenth century.—
Susan Tallman,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a pocket door and contains a shower (with a curtain or optional glass enclosure), a sink, and a choice of flushing, composting, or incinerating toilet, plus a washer/dryer.—
Adam Williams
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday, before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Kimmel poked fun at the event on his late night show, sharing faux remarks for his own dinner.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The host also poked fun at the Trumps’ living separately despite being married for 22 years.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pierced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierced. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
