prise
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to force open by levering
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to extract or obtain with difficulty
they had to prise the news out of him
noun
Etymology
Origin of prise
C17: from Old French prise a taking, from prendre to take, from Latin prehendere; see prize 1
Explanation
To prise is to extract or move something using force, the way you'd prise your stolen diary out of your snooping sibling's hands. The verb prise is good for when you use an effortful physical force. If you're struggling to open an old window that's painted shut, you may need a screwdriver to prise it open. Don't mistake prise for its homonym prize, which as a verb means "to cherish or appreciate." The two words do share a root, the Latin prendere, "to grasp, seize, or catch."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
However, he would be difficult to prise from his current role given his contract runs until 2029.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
Jalibert landed his fourth conversion to bring his team to within a point but could not then prise another gap in the Pau defence.
From Barron's ● Nov. 21, 2025
On Monday, McCullum would have had to march on to the field to prise the ball from Stokes' hand.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2025
Plenty of pundits believe the north London side will be experienced enough now to prise the trophy away from City and hold off other challengers.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2024
Could I prise it open with my fingernails?
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Robinson had already prised out Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique by the time Archer removed Pakistan captain Babar Azam with an 89mph bouncer.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Moreover, Papic believes the Strait of Hormuz will be prised open shortly, not just because of America’s blitzkrieg but by a coordinated response from the rest of the world.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 16, 2026
She fears that Alex will have already suffered from being prised from the life he knew in Oldham.
From BBC ● Dec. 16, 2023
The significant international response helped bring about some incredible moments of the trapped being prised from under the rubble, even days later.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2023
They prised an odd-shaped fungus growth off a tree.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
One black-clad officer crouched near the head of the grave, delicately prising a green-tinted hand free from the dirt, while a colleague stood by, holding a clipboard, making careful notes.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2022
At the time, the £34m Liverpool spent on prising Mane away from Southampton made him the most expensive African player in history.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2021
Manchester United’s players naturally wanted to do anything and everything within the rules to stop Arsenal from waltzing in and prising the trophy directly from their hands.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 28, 2018
It sees the actor and broadcaster turn his wit, and passion for quirky facts, on Zeus, Apollo and many more – as well as prising open the lid of Pandora’s jar …
From The Guardian ● Dec. 8, 2017
Ron said, prising a fish bone out from between his teeth.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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