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
David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The Hurricanes are going to want to punch themselves in the face.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Noun
For a sparsely populated state with only four votes in the Electoral College, Maine punches above its weight politically, which is reflected in the $300 million spent already by the campaigns and dark money Political Action Committees.
—David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Rojas slapped a single up the middle to put the Royals ahead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Following a one-hour delay, the rain mostly stopped Friday afternoon, but the Chicago Cubs were continually showered with boos after getting drilled, 18-3, by the San Francisco Giants in another rough performance at Wrigley Field.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
His versatile shot-making was on full display down the stretch in Game 1, as Brunson repeatedly drove to the basket — particularly when shot-blocking Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was on the bench — and also drilled the game-winning 3-pointer.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Ties have cooled in recent years between the two sides – while Pyongyang drove closer to Moscow.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Advocates have long criticized the conditions at the Aurora facility, and those complaints — alongside concerns that more facilities could open in the state — helped drive HB 1276’s contents.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
There have been ongoing concerns about its impact on gentrification on the South Side, and the location itself was in dispute as well.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Wembanyama, one of the marquee stars of this series, was his usual disruptive presence in the paint defensively but struggled to make a larger impact elsewhere.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Reality is a system where prosecutorial vigor often correlates with public attention.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
-
Squish the bags around with vigor and joy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
At that pace, even a tiny micrometeoroid has the ability to impart a significant kinetic blow upon striking a spacecraft en route to the moon, with potentially disastrous results for the astronaut crew inside.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
Sánchez had the big blow with a two-run shot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
If a foreign object punctures the tread or sidewall, your tire can deflate slowly or quickly, depending on the puncture.—
Jason Fogelson,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
Deputies found the victim with at least 10 puncture wounds, the outlets reported at the time.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The shot smacked off the front of the rim.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Ben Williamson then smacked a ball to the right side that went off the glove of first baseman Spencer Torkelson, allowing Mullins and Fortes to score.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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