punchy

\ ˈpən-chē

punchier; punchiest

Definition of punchy

1a : 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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about punchy

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Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce She was punchy with fatigue.

Recent Examples on the Web The overall objective is to whittle the choices down to a pair of punchy but informative headlines that give readers a reason to click without being clickbait. — Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, "The tools and tricks that let Ars Technica function without a physical office," 28 Jan. 2020 The marinade for the carne asada is an improvement on the regular steak in that the assist from lime and cilantro brings bright and punchy flavors that rise above the warmth and earthiness of the meat. — Grace Wong, chicagotribune.com, "We tried Chipotle’s new carne asada and the verdict is complicated," 19 Sep. 2019 Poppin’ art Clean-cut and eye-catching, Zombres’ recycled artworks have the punchy impact of Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s soup paintings — but without the paint. — SFChronicle.com, "San Francisco artist recycles trash into treasure," 9 Jan. 2020 Pollos El Gallo: Pollo asado This Garden Ridge restaurant is worth a drive thanks to its Northern Mexico-style chicken, stained deep red with a punchy marinade and grilled over clean-burning lump charcoal. — Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, "Critics pick: 25 best San Antonio restaurant dishes of 2019," 23 Dec. 2019 The Boden frock's white pattern added a touch of punchy whimsy to the family aesthetic, with subtle coordination with little Prince Louis' overalls. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton Wears a Casual Boden Dress in the 2019 Cambridge Family Christmas Card," 19 Dec. 2019 Crunchy and fresh, the raw vegetable holds its own in a punchy salad with blue cheese and mustard, offsetting the rich, buttery flavors of the Thanksgiving table with assertive verve. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, The Denver Post, "Celery: Behold the heart of Thanksgiving," 27 Nov. 2019 For golden or olive skin tones, the warm undertones to the skin can stand up to brighter, punchier pinks. — Jessica Teich, Good Housekeeping, "14 Tips for Applying Blush Perfectly, Every Single Time," 18 Nov. 2019 Jamil’s yellow mini bucket bag is tonally aligned with her shades-of-tan outfit but provides a punchy pop of color. — Georgina Kim, Glamour, "Let These Celebrities Inspire Your Next Bag Purchase," 3 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'punchy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.