lancing

verb

present participle of lance
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lancing Use the lancing device (with a new lancet each time) to obtain a drop of blood from the side of your fingertip. — Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 30 June 2026 His maiden first-class — let alone Test — century was confirmed with a tension-lancing scythe over midwicket in the final session, writes Dominic Fifield. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 Penn, giving a brilliant performance of cold villainy that could win him a third Oscar, is unafraid of lancing the inherent goofiness of a fascist. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025 Sivas begins with apartment blocks and minarets lancing a peach sky shaded with haze. — Kurt Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lancing
  1. stabbing
  2. piercing
  3. puncturing
  4. jabbing
  5. picking
  6. sticking
Verb
  • Brennan was previously convicted of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon after stabbing her 76-year-old mother to death with a butcher knife in Hollywood in 2014, according to a probable cause affidavit.
    — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sanders admitted to stabbing her sons to death in February 2018.
    — Mike Toole, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stabbing
Verb
  • His piercing blue eyes shone through, despite the facial prosthetics covering every inch of his skin.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 30 July 2026
  • Their headlamps piercing the watery dark, the group swims along (only Sara has accepted a life jacket), admiring the bats and stalactites while Wat reminds them to respect the caves.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of piercing
Verb
  • It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Think of it as a stamp that presses into the top layer of your skin, and deposits pigment instead of puncturing the skin thousands of times.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of puncturing
Verb
  • The show ushered in a new era of winking, elbow-jabbing meta-musicals.
    — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • The audience groaned, while Vergara and Mel B screamed for Strange to stop jabbing at his partner through the box.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
Definition of jabbing
Verb
  • The standard way to shop usually means picking recipes first, making a list, and buying those exact ingredients regardless of price.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 July 2026
  • Conservationists in the area have rallied around the remaining tree, slamming Homeland Security for not picking an alternative route that does not involve cutting down the trees.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of picking
Verb
  • Randy Orton returned for the first time since his loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, sticking Rhodes with an RKO and allowing Punk to win with his fifth GTS.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Workers can also be seen standing nearby and don't appear to notice the people sticking their hands in the water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of sticking

Browse Nearby Words

lances
lancing
land
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Cite this Entry

“Lancing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lancing. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lancing

Nglish: Translation of lancing for Spanish Speakers

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