1
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
after the man had punched the bartender for eighty-sixing him, bouncers stepped in and restrained him until the police could arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
we're going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the poor palooka wasn't able to land a single punch on his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument
old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Rebecca Firkser, Saveur, 23 Oct. 2025
The 49ers found some of their soul in their punch-in-the-mouth win over Atlanta last weekend.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
Founded in 1777, Lexington is home to both Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and the presence of the universities no doubt plays a part in a cultural richness that punches above its weight class for a tiny town of just 7,000 people.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Opt for a Mexican pod for its signature spicy punch.
—Rebecca Firkser, Saveur, 23 Oct. 2025
The 49ers found some of their soul in their punch-in-the-mouth win over Atlanta last weekend.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Inside the all-glass DJ booth in the center of the room sits a rubber chicken for Steve (Joe Keery) to slap as a sound effect while Robin (Maya Hawke) spins records.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The aim is to drill the first well slowly, entering five different geologic zones and testing for oil and gas in each of them.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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Fortune reports on air traffic controllers who are driving for Uber and DoorDash to make ends meet.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That conflict comes to a head in the middle of campus in the film’s most intense scene, as Alma verbally belittles and demeans her until Maggie snaps and suddenly smacks her mentor.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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The previous year, another Hall of Famer, Dave Winfield, smacked the series-winning double in the top of the 11th inning of Game 6 against the Braves at old Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 21-year-old conservationist's father died at age 44 in 2006 after being pierced by a stingray barb while filming in Australia.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Minutes into Game 3, shovels pierced the ground to dig the Blue Jays’ postseason grave.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That cost-cutting measure, which is common in other long-running shows, continued for the drama's 2025-26 season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Trump made the announcement on Truth Social after the Canadian province of Ontario began running a television advertisement in the United States featuring a speech from former President Ronald Reagan.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fall boating can mean peaceful days on Arkansas' large reservoirs while many hunters begin to hit the woods instead of the water.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Apple’s iPhone surge Shares of Apple surged 4% to hit a new record on Monday after a report of surprisingly strong sales of its new iPhone 17.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One poked his head into the live shot and later stuck his hand into the frame, seemingly seeking a fist bump from the reporter.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Kean himself gets a tattoo hand-poked into his skin and applies medieval salves to his wounds.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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