PIERCINGLY

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does piercingly mean? 

• PIERCINGLY (adverb)
  The adverb PIERCINGLY has 2 senses:

1. extremely and sharply

2. in a shrill voice

  Familiarity information: PIERCINGLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PIERCINGLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Extremely and sharply

Synonyms:

bitingly; bitter; bitterly; piercingly

Context example:

bitter cold

Pertainym:

piercing (painful as if caused by a sharp instrument)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a shrill voice

Synonyms:

piercingly; shrilly

Context example:

she sang rather shrilly

 Context examples 

I thought Diana very provoking, and felt uncomfortably confused; and while I was thus thinking and feeling, St. John bent his head; his Greek face was brought to a level with mine, his eyes questioned my eyes piercingly—he kissed me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

It seemed, however, that his poor injured brain had been working in the interval, for, when he was quite conscious, he looked at me piercingly with an agonised confusion which I shall never forget, and said:—"I must not deceive myself; it was no dream, but all a grim reality."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Ah! By my word! there is something singular about you, said he: you have the air of a little nonnette; quaint, quiet, grave, and simple, as you sit with your hands before you, and your eyes generally bent on the carpet (except, by-the-bye, when they are directed piercingly to my face; as just now, for instance); and when one asks you a question, or makes a remark to which you are obliged to reply, you rap out a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brusque.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)