PIERCING Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

piercing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpir-siŋ

Definition of piercing

as in biting

causing intense discomfort to one's skin that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in loud

marked by a high volume of sound the frightened child emitted a piercing shriek that could be heard all over the house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

piercing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pierce

as in penetrating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in drilling

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stabbing

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

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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 piercing

Adjective

Streisand covered the emotionally piercing song the following year, and clever DJs around the country began splicing the two solo versions together. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 24 Dec. 2025 Its piercing alarm is activated with the simple press of a button, which also turns on flashing strobe lights. — Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2025

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 See All Example Sentences for piercing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing

Adjective

The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026

Definition of biting

Adjective

Yet by selectivity, Ozarks ranks as the tenth most selective baccalaureate college in the country — outpacing schools with far larger endowments and far louder name recognition.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Messi started the second half and received a loud ovation from fans at Miami's Nu Stadium.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of loud

Verb

Grapeseed oil deeply hydrates hair by penetrating all layers of the hair shaft, leaving it moisturized from the inside out.

— Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2026
Its ability to change direction during flight is intended to increase the chances of penetrating sophisticated air defense networks and striking high-value military assets.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of penetrating

Verb

Martinez Police Department A suspect accused of fatally stabbing a man outside a California residence during a burglary a day after being released from custody has been charged with murder, officials said.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Jurors heard a harrowing voicemail left by Johnson begging one of her friends for help as Williams butchered her, stabbing her five times in the chest and four times in her back.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stabbing

Adjective

Sometimes the mood turned bitter, with fights erupting over insignificant matters.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Not that Tottenham Hotspur appear willing to consider an approach from their neighbours and bitter rivals for their captain, let alone sanction a sale.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

Dixon said other issues to be considered are the deafening roar of traffic passing under the footbridge on I-91 and how to soften it.

— Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Definition of deafening

Verb

Since the Lincoln left its home port of San Diego last November, the aircraft carrier has been deployed for more than 250 days after being redirected to the Middle East to support US operations in the war with Iran, now entering its sixth month.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Qusra is supposed to be under Palestinian civilian and security control, and Israeli civilians are barred from entering.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of entering

Browse Nearby Words

pierces

piercing

piercingly

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Style

“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of piercing

adjective

verb

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