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

• dazed
• confused
• bewildered
• distracted
• dizzy
• stunned

Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce

She was punchy with fatigue.

Recent Examples on the Web

For more muted color palettes, the same style is available in more universally flattering hues like white and grey, as well as punchier navy and terra-cotta. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025

And the 2024 Beats Pill, now under $100, packs punchy bass, water resistance, and USB-C phone charging into a portable, stylish design. —PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025

Though early in his Arsenal career, a series of smooth performances on the ball, topped off with a pleasing array of punchy passes into the final third, bodes well for the season ahead. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025

During the preppy era, everyone loved punchy pink iconically paired with kelly green. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for punchy

• crunchy