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 Investigators believe the bullet that pierced the restaurant window was fired from inside a passing vehicle on Vista Village Drive. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Poy was wounded in a second land mine explosion that pierced his face and body with shrapnel and killed three of his colleagues. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 Multiple bullets pierced Bridegan’s body and vehicle – one just inches from his toddler, Bexley, who was uninjured and crying, still strapped into her car seat, according to CNN affiliate WJXT, which cited prosecutors. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 And Denise, rather than retreating from the action, unleashes a piercing battle cry and plunges into the mayhem head on. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pierce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce

Verb

Their forensic multi-scale remote sensing (MSRS) framework combines satellite radar, laser scanning, and ground-penetrating radar to find suspicious areas, investigate them in detail, and probe what may be happening underground.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
This can be from a gunshot, bone fragment, or anything that would be used to penetrate the brain.

— Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Verb

Woodland drilled his second shot on the par-5 18th hole from 279 yards to 9 feet, 4 inches.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

She had been beaten and stabbed inside her home, and her body was then placed in the trunk of her car.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
The 33-year-old man accused of killing his mother in their family’s apartment had stabbed his parent repeatedly in the face and chest, Bronx prosecutors said Friday.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stab

Verb

Kanter Freedom and White have declared their intention to enter next year’s draft, but the WNBA has not publicly addressed their eligibility.

— Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
With his famous quarterbacking last name and a five-star rating as a recruit, Manning entered 2025 with sky-high expectations.

— Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of enter

Verb

James showed excellent vision and punch, and paired with Kaelon Black and Christian McCaffrey, the Niners should have three worthwhile, trustworthy backs this season.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026
Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

The crash broke more than a dozen ribs, punctured her lungs and left her with spinal cord injuries that left her in a wheelchair.

— Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
This can puncture the batteries that cause them to short-circuit, overheat and potentially ignite surrounding materials.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of puncture

Verb

Once installed, it can be recharged wirelessly using a dedicated charger, reducing the need to physically access the battery.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
The disaster declaration allows farmers and agricultural producers in those regions to access emergency loans.

— Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of access

Verb

Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Most of what’s actionable comes from the signal that might be poking through.

— Ben Gretch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of poke

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“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pierce

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