lancinating

adjective

lan·ci·nat·ing ˈlan(t)-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ

: characterized by piercing or stabbing sensations

lancinating pain

Etymology

lancinate to pierce, from Latin lancinatus, past participle of lancinare; akin to Latin lacerare to rend — more at lacerate

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of lancinating was in 1762

See more words from the same year

lancinate

lancinating

Lancs

See all Nearby Words

Style

“Lancinating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lancinating. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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lancinating

adjective

lan·ci·nat·ing ˈlan(t)-sə-ˌnāt-iŋ

: characterized by piercing or stabbing sensations

The patient's lancinating pain is clearly indicative of nerve irritation …—

Milton Alter, The Journal of the American Medical Association