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

Relevance

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 Agents then raided the Wynwood apartment and found 540 kilos (almost 1,200 pounds) of cocaine, $3 million in cash, 14 firearms and more than 100 rounds of armor-piercing bullets, prosecutors say. — David Goodhue august 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 Claire’s is trying to recapture its glory as the go-to destination for both tween girls and for piercing. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 This small-but-mighty alarm attaches easily to a keychain or can be kept in your pocket, and provides an opportunity to create a diversion by emitting a piercing siren and flashing strobe light. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2026 Consider adding a dangly silver piercing charm to your ring fingers. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 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

Scheduled for late 2026, Ceres will drill the world’s first commercial-scale superhot horizontal wells, bringing subterranean power one step closer to the grid.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
After getting sick, Kimbrel threw one pitch and drilled Miami’s Kyle Stowers in the foot.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 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

Officials added that people cannot become infected with Naegleria fowleri by swallowing contaminated water; however, the amoeba can enter the body when it is forcefully introduced, such as through the nose into the brain.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
For San Francisco, a comeback of epic proportions — the club was down 11-5 entering the fourth inning — was for naught.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of enter

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

The vast majority of patients across the nation should be able to access these vaccinations with very little barriers, very little hiccup.

— Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
In Amarillo, a former police officer was fired in July after accessing the Flock camera system more than 75 times for reasons outside police work.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of access

Verb

Polymarket dropped him like a hot potato, though, once the CFTC began poking into his suspicious Kalshi bets.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of poke

Browse Nearby Words

pier

pierce

pierced

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pierce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pierce. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pierce

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes