pierce

[ peers ]

/ pɪərs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for pierce on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), pierced, pierc·ing.

to penetrate into or run through (something), as a sharp, pointed dagger, object, or instrument does.

to make a hole or opening in.

to bore into or through; tunnel.

to perforate.

to make (a hole, opening, etc.) by or as by boring or perforating.

to make a way or path into or through: a road that pierces the dense jungle.

to penetrate with the eye or mind; see into or through: She couldn't pierce his thoughts.

to affect sharply with some sensation or emotion, as of cold, pain, or grief: The wind pierced her body. Her words pierced our hearts.

to sound sharply through (the air, stillness, etc.): A pistol shot pierced the night.

verb (used without object), pierced, pierc·ing.

to force or make a way into or through something; penetrate: to pierce to the heart.

OTHER WORDS FOR pierce

1 enter, puncture.

8 touch, move, strike, thrill.

See synonyms for pierce on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pierce

1250–1300; Middle English percen<Old French perc(i)er<Vulgar Latin *pertūsiāre, verbal derivative of Latin pertūsus, past participle of pertundere to bore a hole through, perforate, equivalent to per-per- + tundere to strike, beat

synonym study for pierce

1. Pierce, penetrate suggest the action of one object passing through another or making a way through and into another. The terms are used both concretely and figuratively. To pierce is to perforate quickly, as by stabbing; it suggests the use of a sharp, pointed instrument which is impelled by force: to pierce the flesh with a knife; a scream pierces one's ears. Penetrate suggests a slow or difficult movement: No ordinary bullet can penetrate an elephant's hide; to penetrate the depths of one's ignorance.

OTHER WORDS FROM pierce

pierce·a·ble, adjectivepiercer, nounun·pierce·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

[ peers ]

/ pɪərs /

noun

Franklin, 1804–69, 14th president of the U.S. 1853–57.

John Robinson, 1910–2002, U.S. electrical engineer: helped develop communications satellites.

a male given name, form of Peter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pierce in a sentence

The video continues with footage of her milestone moments, like getting her ears pierced and taking her first steps.
Kandi Burruss Celebrates Daughter Blaze Tucker’s 1st Birthday|Jasmine Grant|November 23, 2020|Essence.com
The labium is the part that bunches up on the surface, as the mosquito pierces through the skin, and is what protects the delicate apparatus when not in use, as well as providing physical support when they are.
Evolution made mosquitos into stealthy, sensitive vampires|Erica McAlister|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Once blood has been detected, the labrum pierces the vessel and sucks up the blood, much like us drinking a Bloody Mary through a straw.
Evolution made mosquitos into stealthy, sensitive vampires|Erica McAlister|October 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Jonathan Mattingly in the thigh and pierced his femoral artery, but the officer narrowly missed a fatal injury.
A woman killed. An officer shot. And no one legally responsible.|David Fahrenthold|September 24, 2020|Washington Post

Behind the school, the sawtooth peaks of the Chugach Range pierced the horizon.
Her Stepfather Admitted to Sexually Abusing Her. That Wasn’t Enough to Keep Her Safe.|by Nadia Sussman|September 18, 2020|ProPublica
The piercer is now withdrawn, which leaves in its place, a channel through which fire may be conveyed to the charge.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
Into the side of the cartridge, a small cylindrical spindle or piercer is pushed.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
You can make them with an ivory or metal piercer called a stiletto, or any other tool that has a sharp round point.
The Child's Rainy Day Book|Mary White
The injury it does to our orchards is effected by its piercer in depositing its eggs, causing twigs to break and fall off.
American Pomology|J. A. Warder
It must be a piercer if it finds its way through your heart, said Mr. Sikes.
Oliver Twist, Vol. I (of 3)|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (1 of 2)

pierce

/ (pɪəs) /

verb (mainly tr)

to form or cut (a hole) in (something) with or as if with a sharp instrument

to thrust into or penetrate sharply or violentlythe thorn pierced his heel

to force (a way, route, etc) through (something)

(of light) to shine through or penetrate (darkness)

(also intr) to discover or realize (something) suddenly or (of an idea) to become suddenly apparent

(of sounds or cries) to sound sharply through (the silence)

to move or affect (a person's emotions, bodily feelings, etc) deeply or sharplythe cold pierced their bones

(intr) to penetrate or be capable of penetratingpiercing cold

Derived forms of pierce

pierceable, adjectivepiercer, noun

Word Origin for pierce

C13 percen, from Old French percer, ultimately from Latin pertundere, from per through + tundere to strike

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

/ (pɪəs) /

noun

Franklin. 1804–69, US statesman; 14th president of the US (1853–57)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pierce

OTHER WORDS FOR pierce

Origin of pierce

synonym study for pierce

OTHER WORDS FROM pierce

Other definitions for pierce (2 of 2)

Words related to pierce

How to use pierce in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (1 of 2)

Derived forms of pierce

Word Origin for pierce

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (2 of 2)