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to pierce

to pierce

110 3.5
To make a hole in something with a sharp object like a needle
  • verb
  • /pɪrs/
translation icon : perforar
  • Before he can move, it pierces him between the ribs and slices into his heart.
  • pierce a hole
  • pierce the skin
  • pierce the ear

You don't want to scroll and etch and Pierce and punch or do anything to it.

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Examples

  • I've gone with all my friends to get their ears pierced.

  • Once that needle pierces the leather, that hole is there.

  • When did you pierce your ears?

  • I even pierced my ear for her.

  • A bullet has pierced the hull somewhere.

  • Agents also rely on mobile night-vision scopes, which are able to pierce two miles of darkness.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Rays of light from the midmorning sun pierce through the gloom from the starboard set of pipes.

    Academic text (1991)
  • "Latham wants you," said Tony suddenly, his voice piercing Pat's thoughts like a spear.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Their quarreling chewed through the curtains, pierced the casements, and rattled over the cobblestones outside.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Use a sharp knife to pierce the skin of the tomato before slicing it.

Synonyms

to penetrate
vsto pierce
175 4.1

Move through something with effort, for example thick curtains or a jungle

is more general and often implies a sharp object making the hole
to drill
vsto pierce
170 2.2

To make a hole by using a tool that turns

is more general and includes nonrotating sharp objects or simple cuts
to punch
vsto pierce
136 1.8

To make a hole in paper or leather with a small tool

is broader, covering any cutting or penetrating method not only punching
to puncture
vsto pierce
50 3.9

To make a small hole in something with a sharp object that lets air or liquid escape

covers holes of any size and does not focus on escape of fluid
to impale
vsto pierce
  • Offensive
26 7.7

Push a sharp object through a person or animal

is broader and may simply make a hole without fixing or impaling
to prick
vsto pierce
14 3.9

To make a small hole in something with a sharp point

is similar but can mean larger or deeper holes, not only tiny ones
to perforate
vsto pierce
12 6.1

Make a hole through something by piercing it

is broader, covering any single cutting or penetrating action not only holes
to incise
vsto pierce
7 7.9

To cut into a surface with a sharp tool

is about making a hole or passing through rather than only surface cutting
to lance
vsto pierce
5 7.0

Cut a skin sore to let out fluid

is more general and not limited to releasing fluid or attacking
to pierce through
vsto pierce
3 4.4

Move into and through something by making a hole or gap

is similar but can mean making a partial or full hole rather than only full pass
to bore
vsto pierce
1 4.9

To make a hole in something with a tool or with animal teeth

can be done by hand or tool and is not limited to mechanical boring
to empale
vsto pierce
  • NSFW
9.9

To push a sharp stick through something

is less specific about being fixed onto a stake or held fast
to transfix
vsto pierce
  • NSFW
7.9

Push a sharp stick through something to hold it in place

is similar but does not require that the object stays fixed to the point

Antonyms

3.0

To stop movement, access, or progress

457 2.5

To close something tightly to stop air or water getting in

Phrasal Verbs

Move into and through something by making a hole or gap

A sudden sound, like a scream, that breaks the quiet

How Deep

to impale
  • Offensive
26 7.7
to stab
  • NSFW
459 2.7
to pierce
110 3.5
to puncture
50 3.9
prick
7 5.0
poke
4 2.5

Surface Forms

pierce infinitive
pierced past
pierced past participle
piercing present participle
pierces third person singular

Etymology

Pierce comes from an old French verb percer, which meant 'to make a hole through'. The part per- means 'through', so to pierce is to push a sharp point 'through' something, which is why we use it for making holes with needles or thorns.