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 If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 He was stripped of his heavyweight title, barred from boxing for more than three years and convicted of draft evasion. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 But for Gonzales, the gym has always been about more than boxing. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxing world champion, and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and got engaged in October 2013. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 This extended to her closest competitors in the Tour, after Niewiadoma-Phinney accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of boxing her in during the crucial penultimate stage. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 The cemetery is home to Emmett Till, singing icon Dinah Washington and boxing great Ezzard Charles. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 That's my thought and my expectation, but this is boxing and anything can happen. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxing
  1. punching
  2. hitting
  3. knocking
  4. slapping
  5. slamming
  6. smacking
  7. banging
  8. clapping
Verb
  • Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • An Arkansas State Police trooper was captured on dashcam footage yanking the passenger of a vehicle by his hair and punching him in the face after a high-speed chase that ended in the streets of Blytheville.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • The Orioles scored only one run over their previous three games against Boston, but Joey Cantillo (9-9) did plenty to help them out of their slump, allowing 3 hits and 5 walks and hitting 2 batters in 2 1/3 innings.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In men’s tennis, before even hitting the ball, the server has around a 66 percent chance of winning the point.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • While significantly smaller than Nvidia, Google or Apple, Broadcom shares are knocking on a $2 trillion valuation.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Prince was able to free the ATV and accelerated toward the deputy, striking him and knocking him to the ground.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • He was still getting frustrated a little bit, slamming his helmet.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Noa dances viciously, slamming her body raw in front of the stage.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • The Chicago Cubs center fielder made an Air Jordan-style catch during Friday’s 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins, banging into a nook where two walls converge at funky loanDepot park.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, law enforcement in the city of Kirkland, Washington (just northeast of Seattle) responded to a 911 call from a resident reporting loud banging inside their home.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • Firefighters who weren’t yet being deployed lined the route to the tarmac, hooting and clapping and giving high fives.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Pocic immediately started clapping, and Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford rushed over to celebrate with him.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 26 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boxing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boxing

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