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

Synonym Chooser

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 An argument between children over a pizza slice escalated into a 10-year-old girl having a knife thrown at her chest, piercing her skin, by her 8-year-old brother Thursday, police said. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The yacht pairs a wave-piercing plumb bow with a robust steel hull and a lightweight aluminium superstructure. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 The piercing screams and cheers of thrill seekers clashed with blaring music and barkers calling crowds to their games. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 The page lists an Austin address that belongs to a tattoo and piercing shop. — Meagan Harris, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pierce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pierce

Verb

The Biden administration designated Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization in 2024 following requests from Republicans who said the group’s members have penetrated the southern border.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Radar love Each low-flying helicopter is outfitted with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) instrument, one that can detect layering in the near surface, at depths unobservable by orbital radar.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of penetrate

Verb

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz drilled a 53-yard field goal in overtime to elevate Denver to a 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Public-health and environmental advocates have also raised concerns about drilling near communities, including potential air- and water-quality harms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drill

Verb

In the narrative to has unfolded from authorities and passenger accounts, Machchhar had the presence of mind to open the locked door of the cockpit after he was stabbed.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Two men accused of stabbing an off-duty NYPD detective pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

— Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of stab

Verb

But students in more affluent schools, where Asian American students are concentrated, must perform better on the standardized exam to enter the lottery.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
However, certification does not mean the aircraft has entered commercial service.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of enter

Verb

Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension for punching a Buffalo Bills player after a game has been reduced from two games to one, an NFL spokesman said Wednesday.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
For Lee, the true measure of a man is how many other men, and women, want to punch his lights out.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of punch

Verb

The hackneyed ruminations on feminine style are punctured by an image of violent female rage.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
As for the crack, well, that happened by accident when heavy equipment punched through a concrete wall and unintentionally punctured the sphere, company officials told The Mountaineer.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of puncture

Verb

Yet a growing number of adults age 60 and older are embracing AI, using it for entertainment, planning trips and even accessing health information.

— Robin Brewer, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Those features could help officers reach locations that conventional patrol vehicles cannot easily access.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of access

Verb

Ask it to poke holes and give you the strongest case against something.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Kessler, standing nearby during Williams’ postgame news conference, poked his head out from behind a black curtain and gave his teammate a thumbs-up.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poke

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“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pierce

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