prise

/praɪz/

Other forms: prised; prises; prising

To prise is to extract or move something using force, the way you'd prise your stolen diary out of your snooping sibling's hands.

The verb prise is good for when you use an effortful physical force. If you're struggling to open an old window that's painted shut, you may need a screwdriver to prise it open. Don't mistake prise for its homonym prize, which as a verb means "to cherish or appreciate." The two words do share a root, the Latin prendere, "to grasp, seize, or catch."

Definitions of prise

1. verb

   move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
   synonyms: jimmy, lever, prize, pry

   type of:

   open, open up

   cause to open or to become open
2. verb

   make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry
   synonyms: pry

   type of:

   extort, wring from

   get or cause to become in a difficult or laborious manner
3. verb

   regard highly; think much of
   synonyms: esteem, prize, respect, value

   types:

   think the world of

   esteem very highly

   fear, revere, reverence, venerate

   regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

   admire, look up to

   feel admiration for

   enshrine, saint

   hold sacred

   worship

   show devotion to (a deity)

   envy

   feel envious towards; admire enviously

   type of:

   consider, reckon, regard, see, view

   deem to be