as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
doctors used to lance infected sores, so that they could drain clean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example 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 lance
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Religious icons often depict Saints George and Michael defeating dragons, by lance and feet, respectively.
—Kelly Devries, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2012
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Friday, when Lebanese officials say two Israeli missiles lanced through the Zahra family‘s three-story building.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Noun
When guarding a monster's attack with a lance using Power Guard under certain conditions, the weapon flashes in red but the effect is not activated
When using a mantle, a Weapon Equipment Skill may mistakenly be activated.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Religious icons often depict Saints George and Michael defeating dragons, by lance and feet, respectively.
—Kelly Devries, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2012
Verb
But an Israeli missile lanced through his house, killing the 23 people inside, including more than a dozen women and two children.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
Friday, when Lebanese officials say two Israeli missiles lanced through the Zahra family‘s three-story building.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lance
Noun
-
It's topped with relish, onion, tomato, a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers and celery salt.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
16 July 2025
-
If our institutions of higher learning represent the armory of our competitiveness — equipping the next generation with the tools to compete and win in today’s economy — then our incubators and accelerators are the tip of our spear.—
Deborah Hemingway,
Baltimore Sun,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were stabbed to death in the middle of the night at their off-campus residence.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Kernodle died from lacerations to her heart and lungs, and she had been stabbed more than 50 times.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The senior placed first at the Div. 1 championship in both javelin and discus.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 July 2025
-
The triumph marked the Missouri program’s first individual javelin national title and a new personal-best throw for Barrios Bornacelli, shattering a mark of 190-11 set at the SEC Outdoor Championships on May 15 in Lexington, Kentucky.—
Jacob Louraine,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The punctum keeps returning, no matter how hard Dyer tries to puncture it.—
Book Marks
July 17,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
-
Gross broke his femur, three ribs and punctured his lung.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The bullet pierced that victim’s left thigh, exiting then lodging in her right thigh.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 July 2025
-
Reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer; simmer over low, covered, until broth mixture has thickened and steaks are tender when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour, stirring gravy and turning steaks every 15 minutes.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
Likely to jab at the president as a public fallout between the two over Trump’s spending bill boiled over.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
The man jabbed the machete fully into his car toward his face.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
This was as strong a team as Moyes could feasibly pick from those available, yet the 1-0 defeat again highlighted a lack of quality and depth.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
21 July 2025
-
White pillar candles are a stylist's best friend, and Joyner will pick hers up while strolling through Sam's Club.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
One of those sticking points has been a mammoth bond issue that is being pitched to voters in the November election.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
22 July 2025
-
Thompson will need to prove the most in this area to stick, as well.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lance. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share