punchy

adjective

ˈpən-chē 

punchier; punchiest

1

a

: having punch : forceful, spirited

The collection is strong on punchy, memorable music and weak on lyrics.

—People Weekly

He leans abruptly forward and speaks with the punchy emphasis of an inveterate politician.

—Bill Bryson

b

: vivid, vibrant

These punchy colors glide on and blend easily into mere hints of color.

—Elle

c

: zesty

It is an elegant dish, although the sauce seems overly polite now. I remember it when the fresh coriander was an intense and punchy flavor.

—Caroline Bates

2

: dazed, punch-drunk

… I arrived in Paris after a thirteen-hour flight, unwashed, unshaved, punchy from jet lag, discombobulated …

—David Berlinski

Synonyms

• addle
• addled
• addlepated
• bedeviled
• befogged
• befuddled
• bemused
• bewildered
• bushed [chiefly Australian]
• confounded
• confused
• dazed
• distracted
• dizzy
• dopey
• dopy
• fogged
• mixed-up
• muddleheaded
• muzzy
• pixilated
• pixillated
• punch-drunk
• raddled
• shell-shocked
• silly
• slaphappy
• spaced-out
• spaced
• spacey
• spacy
• stunned
• stupefied
• zonked
• zonked-out

Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce

She was punchy with fatigue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Try the pink for a punchy statement, or stick to the sleek black or soft apricot. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025

However, the brilliant vocal hooks and arrangements on this album are what seal the deal for every climactic bridge and punchy chorus. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Simple additions like cheese, croutons, nuts, or a punchy salad dressing can help even the most basic pieces of produce sing. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025

Go bold and bright with punchy colorways, such as blue or pink, or honor the classics with variations on the traditional minimal white sneaker. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for punchy

• crunchy