uppercut

noun

up·​per·​cut ˈə-pər-ˌkət 

: a swinging blow (as in boxing) directed upward with a bent arm

uppercut verb

Examples of uppercut in a Sentence

He hit his opponent with an uppercut to the chin.

Recent Examples on the Web

But this week, a one-two punch of bad economic data has some experts waiting for another uppercut. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024

But then, out of nowhere, the chile peppers will catch you unawares and land a solid uppercut to the kisser. —Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024

For an artist just getting a break, the COVID-19 lockdown that soon followed might have delivered an uppercut to momentum. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 21 Jan. 2024

On a third diamond, East uppercuts with his king of trumps, promoting West’s ten. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024

The screenplay, by Zach Baylin (King Richard) and Ryan's brother Keenan Coogler, hits most of its narrative notes with a straight uppercut, and Jordan and Majors stomp and fume like raging bulls, consumed by their singular purpose. —Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2023

Not every jab and uppercut was a bruiser, but the cumulative impact of their pushback against the Seahawks (6-4) did enough damage for the Rams to end their three-game losing streak and led them to turn up the volume of their postgame music to deafening levels in their locker room. —Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023

Pressing down and heavy might give you an uppercut, while holding down/forward and heavy performs a sweeping kick. —Aurich Lawson, Ars Technica, 30 May 2023

Customers can be heard yelling at the attackers to stop and at one point, the suspect identified as Williams, who is wearing red pants, can be seen launching a massive uppercut at the worker. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

uppercut

noun

up·​per·​cut ˈəp-ər-ˌkət 

: a swinging blow (as in boxing) directed upward with a bent arm

uppercut verb