Entry Word: ¹punch

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect <the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines>

Synonyms cogency, effectiveness, force, forcefulness, impact, point

Related Words payoff; importance, significance; appeal, attraction, charm, fascination

2 active strength of body or mind <weʼre going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election> — see vigor 1
3 a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument <the poor boxer wasnʼt able to land a single punch on his opponent> — see ¹blow