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
Examples 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 piercing
Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024
Compulsively readable, wildly entertaining, and filled with sharp social insight, The List is a piercing and dazzlingly clear-sighted debut about secrets, lies, and the internet.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2024
Blaring guitars and clashing drums are paired, and piercing synths turn up the volume on Gartland’s alt-pop, making for a dynamic project exploring the inherent chaos of romance.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piercing 
Adjective
For the piercing and tattoo shop, that changeover started last September with checking the building's insulation and air sealing to determine what size heat pumps were needed.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024
Compulsively readable, wildly entertaining, and filled with sharp social insight, The List is a piercing and dazzlingly clear-sighted debut about secrets, lies, and the internet.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024
Verb
With Bose’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Edition ones especially, the white is piercing and not difficult to spot.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2024
Blaring guitars and clashing drums are paired, and piercing synths turn up the volume on Gartland’s alt-pop, making for a dynamic project exploring the inherent chaos of romance.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for piercing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for piercing
Adjective
-
The sketch seemed to be SNL’s attempt to balance the cold open’s levity with a more biting tone about the wearying stakes of deciding the nation’s leadership.Amanda Wicks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024
-
Will Ari craft a biting lyric finally addressing it?Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The keyboard's scissor-switch mechanisms are nearly soundless affairs and a welcome contrast to the loud clacking of a mechanical keyboard.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Throughout the building there are also devices that measure audio levels and can even pinpoint which individual fans are the loudest.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Since his debut, the legendary hypeman has continued penetrating people's hearts worldwide through multiple realms, including music, The Olympics, reality television, and snack foods.Kenneth J. Williams Jr., Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
-
Under his leadership, Hezbollah launched exploding and reconnaissance drones deep into Israel, penetrating its defense systems which had mostly focused on the group’s rockets and missiles.Kareem Chehayeb, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Austin also expressed condolences to Gallant over a shooting and stabbing attack in Tel Aviv yesterday in which six people were killed, which Israeli police have called a terrorist attack.Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
-
Sauron mostly maintains the upper hand, eventually stabbing Galadriel with his spiky crown and taking the Nine Rings from her.Hayden Mears, TVLine, 3 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
That will come as a bitter blow to the workers affected.The Week UK, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
-
On the eve of the election, amid a bitter chill, Marisela Olvera, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, rapped on doors in North Las Vegas to make her pitch.Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
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
-
McBride’s defense turned into offense that later induced more deafening pops from The Garden crowd.Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
However, companies have to take certain internal measures to prepare for the partnership appropriately prior to entering into a partnership.Vamsi Gosu, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
-
The patient is asleep during the procedure and takes a laxative prior to entering the hospital to make sure their bowels are empty.Daryl Austin, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Facebook / East Haven Police Department A man has been arrested after allegedly punching a pregnant woman and biting a medic’s hand in a violent carjacking attempt at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Connecticut, police said.Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2024
-
When the victim refused, Rodriguez began punching her.Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near piercing
Cite this Entry
“Piercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/piercing. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share