1
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
that light sweater will be no match for the piercing wind outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in penetrating
to go or come in or into
thoughts of revenge relentlessly pierced her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
pierced his ears with a needle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stabbing
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
the saber pierced his chest, releasing a spurt of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of piercing
Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Where is the voice—broken and piercing and fierce—on behalf of these women?
—Michal Herzog, TIME, 12 July 2024
John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Surveillance camera video of the strike showed huge fireballs piercing the darkness and slamming into the ground at astonishing speed.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Adjective
On a separate platform to the right of the action, three male chanters sit in a neat row, next to men playing the shamisen, a stringed instrument with a raw and piercing tone which is often used in vocal accompaniment.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
Where is the voice—broken and piercing and fierce—on behalf of these women?
—Michal Herzog, TIME, 12 July 2024
Verb
That argument, which the bus driver was not involved in, ended in gunshots, with a stray slug piercing the bus’ windshield, the spokesman said.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Surveillance camera video of the strike showed huge fireballs piercing the darkness and slamming into the ground at astonishing speed.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
On a recent Saturday afternoon, several thousand people gathered in Union Square, in the biting cold, for a rally in support of trans youth.—
Emily Witt,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Now, 72 hours after being purged because they were considered probationary workers, a biting reality has set in for many of them.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In the new court filing, phone records show Mortensen tried calling the other four roommates – but got no response – around the time when security camera from a residence close to the home picked up at 4:17 a.m. distorted audio of voices, a whimper, followed by a loud thud, and a barking dog.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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At a festival where the moviegoers at Austin’s Paramount Theatre on Congress Avenue scream as loud as those at a Harry Styles concert, look for the Motion Picture Association to create waves.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Winterized Trail Running Shoes These trail running shoes are designed for wet muck, packed snow, and sloppy terrain in general, with their traction adding necessary grip and rugged uppers protecting from punctures and penetrating cold and moisture.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside Online,
20 Dec. 2024
-
It’s coated with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment that helps bead water and stop it from penetrating the outer layer.—
Wes Siler,
Outside Online,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Smith was convicted of fatally stabbing his estranged wife and her sons decades ago.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Brooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend in Monroe County.—
Kate Holland,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The bitter exchange was unlike any other in the Oval Office in modern times. 13:43 With Ukraine's future in the balance, a high-stakes meeting on Friday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy devolved into a shouting match.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Their bond defies centuries of tradition, where vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The genteel tranquility of his $10 million estate is shattered by the deafening scream of jet traffic with the regularity of commercial airline schedules.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Zoom out: While these protests may be vociferous, there's an equally deafening volume of grievances the SEC sees.—
Hope King,
Axios,
28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Friction should act as a safeguard, especially when choices have long-term implications, such as entering into debt, making a large investment, or choosing financial protection products.—
Alex Kreger,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The Rockets are entering one of the trickiest parts of any rebuild.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The group in the other vehicle surround Martinez between the two vehicles, with two people repeatedly punching her while a third person pulls her legs, taking her to the ground.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Dec. 2024
-
According to Hallman, Forrest-Stitt responded by allegedly assaulting him, punching him in the chest, hitting his mouth, and causing injuries, including a busted lip and a painful bicep injury.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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