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 Back in the ring Ali briefly retired from boxing at age 37 in 1979, but returned the following year to fight Larry Holmes. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026 But one wrinkle that has challenged Giddey is the expectation of boxing out that Splitter has placed upon backcourt players. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026 Perhaps the most noteworthy sports figure to battle Parkinson’s was boxing great Muhammad Ali, who died in 2016. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The pier-to-pier walk in Southern California’s South Bay was supported by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, celebrity TV host Brooke Burke, actor Nate Simon and baseball icons Chris Taylor, Kyle Karros and Jared Karros. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Adam Rodriguez as Ruben Chapa, a trainer at the local El Centro boxing gym. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Eubank Jr was seven years older than Benn, five years further into his professional career and, more pertinently, boxing at middleweight, three weight classes higher than super-lightweight Benn. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Pausing midway through a meal to check in with your hunger is a good rule of thumb, and boxing half of a meal at a restaurant to bring home can also help. — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boxing
  1. punching
  2. hitting
  3. knocking
  4. slapping
  5. slamming
  6. smacking
  7. banging
  8. clapping
Verb
  • Video shows a Pine-Richland football player punching a Plum player in the head during a game, prompting calls for accountability.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Anthony David Lizardo, 28, was arrested Sunday on a second-degree murder charge stemming from an incident where he was seen punching a man repeatedly in downtown Miami, according to his arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of punching
Verb
  • The brother will provoke him by hitting him first and saying cruel things, typically about me.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Shortly after the conversation began, Soho pulled out a handgun and shot at the officers, hitting two of them, according to the GBI.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • The alleged assault on restaurant employees Investigators said Gonzalez ambushed the employee, repeatedly punching him in the face with closed fists, knocking him to the ground, and continuing to strike him.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The firefighter responded by knocking Brown out with a metal bar.
    — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of knocking
Verb
  • Gabby Williams hopped off a double-decker bus and began dancing through the streets, blowing a whistle to the beat and slapping high-fives with fans all while keeping her WNBA Finals MVP trophy safely tucked in her left arm.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Jamie Love is swaying, slapping a hand against her thigh to keep time, and mouthing along to the music that plays from a set of portable speakers.
    — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Alex Alvarado’s political action committee is behind the texts slamming Rodriguez in an apparent effort to help Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier stay in office.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of slamming
Verb
  • But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • Plus, Skullcandy's Crusher Bass technology utilizes dedicated bass drivers to really give you a head-banging experience, sending bone-shattering bass pulsating through your skull.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • And although the set wasn’t particularly long, Charli rocked it, sending heads banging everywhere.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of banging
Verb
  • In addition, Adebayo was called for a technical foul for arguing with the officials and Doncic was called for a technical foul for clapping at an official in the second quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • About 75 people packed the room at Morning Star Community Center, often clapping and cheering in support of the criticism.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boxing

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