boxing

verb

Definition of boxingnext
present participle of box
as in punching
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner his mother threatened to box his ears if he didn't show a bit more respect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of boxing One of Hooper’s matches involved him boxing icon Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. — Corey Davis, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 17 July 2026 The Washington Post took a look at how the designation risks boxing the US out of Syria’s recovery. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026 Instead of scoring points, Richard was more focused on making the right defensive rotation, making passes and boxing out. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 On Tuesday morning, a dozen volunteers joined Montano on the street outside of her restaurant, packing and boxing an influx of supplies — from sanitary supplies to nonperishable foods — dropped off by passing vehicles. — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 The actor says he's become 'hooked' on boxing with the help of a coach. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 And those volunteers have been busy boxing them up and shipping them off for delivers to Venezuela. — Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 26 June 2026 Usyk was given a scare by kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who had competed only once in boxing previously, before finding a stoppage late in the 11th round in his previous outing and a rematch has been mooted. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 26 June 2026 After training under boxing trainer Carmen Graziano and pursuing a professional boxing career in New Jersey, Brown later shifted his focus to acting and moved to New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxing
  1. punching
  2. hitting
  3. knocking
  4. slapping
  5. slamming
  6. smacking
  7. banging
  8. clapping
Verb
  • But that hasn’t stopped one of the country’s increasingly renowned grape-growing regions from punching well above its weight.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
  • Video footage of the incident appears to show two officers struggling with Hardy, with one of them punching her before taking her to the ground.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • The New York Yankees want to add a right-handed hitting catcher, and the Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers still appears to be their most obvious target.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But what does Porsha being a liar have to do with Shamea hitting below the belt unprompted?
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • The surveillance footage released by police in 2012 from the night before the murder showed a person in a hoodie and baggy pants walking up the stairs outside Chavez’s apartment and knocking on the door.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Jay Harry is knocking at the door Blue Jays designated hitter Sean Keys had a front-row seat for Jay Harry’s breakout season.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • But when their panel ended, the sports stars got into a heated exchange that ended with Brady slapping Paul in the face.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • As seen in a video posted by Fanatics on Instagram and X, the former NFL quarterback traded words with Paul face-to-face before slapping him, and was ultimately pulled away.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Over the past several months, Taylor has accused Mortensen in court of stalking and, on one occasion, slamming her head into the dashboard of his truck.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • Because of this tremendous heat, hydrogen atoms in the inner core of stars are zipping along at incredible speeds and slamming into each other with astonishing violence.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • With a Triple-A pitcher called up for a spot start and a utilityman smacking an early two-run homer, the Boston Red Sox, having now won eight straight games, keep winning with an unlikely formula.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Part of Ludwig Göransson’s score is based on the sound of banging pieces of bronze, which turn out to be the alarm bells of Troy, a warning of violence that echoes throughout the film.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • Then the team did it, sitting on the field after beating Ivory Coast to reach the round of 16, with captain Martin Odegaard banging the drum.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • In that contest, Clark was assessed a technical foul for loudly clapping in the direction of Mercury players during a skirmish, which White said the officials deemed as taunting.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In a video shared on Instagram by Wallace, their guests could be seen excitedly cheering, clapping and stamping their feet as the action unfolded.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of clapping

Browse Nearby Words

box (in)
boxing
boxing (in)
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Cite this Entry

“Boxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boxing. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boxing

Nglish: Translation of boxing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boxing

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