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 Later, Young tossed a jump-ball to wideout Brycen Tremayne in the end zone with cornerback Corey Thornton boxing him out. — Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026 Spence announced his retirement from boxing during the post-fight interview. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxing
  1. punching
  2. hitting
  3. knocking
  4. slapping
  5. slamming
  6. smacking
  7. banging
  8. clapping
Verb
  • Trey Songz has avoided jail time following his arrest last year over allegedly punching an employee at a nightclub in New York City.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of punching
Verb
  • The team will take a day to settle in on Tuesday before hitting the practice field for the first of 13 sessions on Wednesday.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Jerry Kelly birdied the 72nd hole Sunday (despite hitting the ball in a greenside bunker) to account for a 2-shot margin of victory over Gogel, Darren Fichardt and Cameon Perry.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • Snap a few photos before your guide for the day, Clint Holland, comes knocking.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Cooper was accused of sending 20 messages and making two unanswered phone calls to his girlfriend before going to her apartment and knocking on her door, according to the arrest affidavit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • Brussels, however, was less charitable with EU regulators slapping a fine of 890 million euros ($1 billion) on Google, its first penalty under the Digital Markets Act, for favoring its own services.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • Twenty wrestlers are committed to slipping on their mawashi loincloths (don’t call it a diaper), stomping to signal their readiness (that’s a shiko) and doing some belly-slapping grappling.
    — Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Even slamming the door of the Mercedes is a subdued event with its soft-close doors.
    — Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • One of the charges, his half-sister said, involved slamming his hand on the hood of an NYPD van that was blocking traffic in Times Square.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 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
  • The game actually drew a decent spring crowd of 10,000-12,000, partially because Chesney had worked so hard at banging the drum.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • According to the woman’s account, Leverett was banging his head against the walls and windows the day of the shooting.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 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 31 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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