PIERCE Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pierce' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pierce are enter , penetrate , and probe . While all these words mean "to make way into something," pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument. // pierced the boil with a lancet

Q: When might 'enter' be a better fit than 'pierce'?

While the synonyms enter and pierce are close in meaning, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in. // entered the city in triumph

Q: When is 'penetrate' a more appropriate choice than 'pierce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pierce , penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance. // the enemy penetrated the fortress

Q: Where would 'probe' be a reasonable alternative to 'pierce'?

The synonyms probe and pierce are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge. // probed the depths of the sea

pierce

verb

ˈpirs

Definition of pierce

as in to penetrate

to go or come in or into thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to drill

to make a hole or series of holes in pierced his ears with a needle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stab

to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb pierce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pierce are enter, penetrate, and probe. While all these words mean "to make way into something," pierce means an entering or cutting through with a sharp pointed instrument.

pierced the boil with a lancet

When might enter be a better fit than pierce?

While the synonyms enter and pierce are close in meaning, enter is the most general of these and may imply either going in or forcing a way in.

entered the city in triumph

When is penetrate a more appropriate choice than pierce?

While in some cases nearly identical to pierce, penetrate carries a strong implication of an impelling force or compelling power that achieves entrance.

the enemy penetrated the fortress

Where would probe be a reasonable alternative to pierce?

The synonyms probe and pierce are sometimes interchangeable, but probe implies penetration to investigate or explore something hidden from sight or knowledge.

probed the depths of the sea

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 pierce The film ends up with raucously funny situations buoyed by piercing second-hand embarrassment. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 Subtle colors that allow its piercing red eyes to steal your gaze. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Eight thick stone legs support a circular tower pierced by arched openings. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Such insights and supporting data can help pierce the gloom in some quarters that AI is destined to be an engine of large-scale job losses and devaluation of human skills. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pierce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce

Verb

Webb’s infrared vision is particularly useful here because infrared light can penetrate dust that blocks much of the visible light, giving astronomers a better look at the processes taking place inside stellar nurseries.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Even when flames are intense, the relatively short duration of exposure gives heat little time to penetrate thick masonry walls, assuming interior materials don’t catch fire and continue burning from within.

— Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Verb

Founded by former truck driver Chace Barber, the company is focusing on diesel-electric tech to power real working vehicles like log loaders, crane trucks, and drilling rigs.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026
The two-time All-Star shot 4 of 6 from the field and drilled two 3s.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of stab

Verb

Despite the help from aircraft, law enforcement could not locate the suspects after searching all of the rail cars investigators believed the burglars entered.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
The Red Sox lost their fourth consecutive game, 5-3, after entering the losing streak without back-to-back losses since July 1 and without three or more straight losses since mid-June.

— Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of enter

Verb

Speaking to reporters before heading out on a campaign bus tour in Maine, Collins was asked about recent reports of a 1988 incident in which Jackson faced misdemeanor charges for punching an unnamed man.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026
MASSive congratulations to Bridgewater Joe Lazaro LL on punching their ticket to the Little League Baseball World Series, presented by @TMobile!

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

Under Booster Seats Booster seats can dig into leather car seats and puncture the material over time.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026
The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of puncture

Verb

People will be able to legally — and easily — access the property without trespassing.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Those reforms led to huge reduction in poverty, an exploding middle class and a scramble by foreign companies to access the lucrative Chinese market.

— CNN Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of access

Verb

Dike was waiting in the middle to poke it home, giving Orlando a 1-0 lead.

— Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
But regardless of any lack of confidence in Hamas’ true intentions, in Mladenov’s faith in the ability to verify weapons decommissioning, or indeed Netanyahu’s own willingness to order any troop withdrawals, why poke Trump so publicly in the eye?

— Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of poke

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“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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