to prise

Examples

• All

• Finally, I jabbed at the lid with the scissors, trying to prise it open.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Luckily with this one, it looks like you can just prise it open, so let's do that.

• I tried to prise the fingers away, but they turned out to be stubborn.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Let's just see if I can prise out this plastic bit that's all glued in.

• He used a screwdriver to prise the lid off the paint can.

• With a careful twist, she managed to prise the stuck drawer open.

• I need to prise this panel away from the wall to check for hidden wires.

Synonyms

F

to force

vsto prise

376 1.9

To push something so it moves or opens

is more about using leverage and tools rather than pure strength

P

to pry

vsto prise

76 4.4

Use force with a tool to open or move something that is stuck

relies more on general leverage and effort rather than just tool use

M

to muscle

vsto prise

• Informal

39 6.6

To push into a place using physical strength or influence

focuses on using tools or leverage rather than raw strength or influence

K

to kick in

vsto prise

38 4.1

Force a door or gate open by hitting it hard with your foot

is about using leverage or tools rather than a forceful foot impact

J

to jimmy

vsto prise

8 8.6

To force open a door or window with a small metal bar

is the general action of levering or forcing things apart, not only illegal entry

P

to prize

vsto prise

7 9.1

To force something open with a tool like a crowbar

uses force or leverage more generally when things are hard to move

L

to lever

vsto prise

3 4.9

To move something by using a long bar to lift it

is broader, covering all methods of force and leverage when stubborn

Antonyms

S

to seal

457 2.5

To close something tightly to stop air or water getting in

F

to fasten

68 1.6

Hold something in place so it cannot move

How Forceful

to rip

646 1.7

to wrench

33 4.2

to prise

• UK

1 7.7

to lever

3 4.9

Surface Forms

Etymology