sucker punch

verb

sucker punched; sucker punching; sucker punches

transitive verb

: to punch (a person) suddenly without warning and often without apparent provocation
sucker punch noun

Examples of sucker punch in a Sentence

One of them sucker punched me.
Recent Examples on the Web Each episode features a group of willing contestants trying (and often failing) to navigate a series of obstacle courses, from bouncing on giant red balls to trying not to get sucker punched by mechanical boxing gloves. Emily Smith, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 Being the one who was laid off can feel like a sucker punch. Dede Henley, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 It sucker punched me in the kidneys and back with no mercy! Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024 The words hit Friedl like a sucker punch to the gut. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 And prior to last season, Green’s behavior was the talk of the NBA after video leaked from a Warriors practice in which he sucker punched teammate Jordan Poole in the face during an argument. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024 And before last season, Green’s behavior was the talk of the NBA after a video leaked from a Warriors practice in which he sucker punched teammate Jordan Poole in the face during an argument. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 15 Dec. 2023 Having led the game until the 97th minute conceding an equaliser felt like a sucker punch. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 The boy’s family claimed that one day before the attack, the eighth-grader sought the help of his science teacher after being sucker punched in the head, the statement says. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sucker punch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sucker punch was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near sucker punch

Cite this Entry

“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sucker%20punch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sucker punch

verb
: to punch (a person) suddenly and usually without any obvious reason
sucker punch noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sucker punch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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