punch 1 of 3

Definition of punchnext

punch

2 of 3

noun (1)

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
3
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punch
Verb
For Lee, the true measure of a man is how many other men, and women, want to punch his lights out. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 When substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a superb shot into the top corner, Turan ran up the touchline, punching the air in delight. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
Hadribeaj attacked the body early, crouching beneath Fundora’s punches and landing looping shots over the top. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 One manifestation of Gabriel’s anger is physical, meaning that Murphy needed to throw a punch while the character is drunk at a party after his friend makes a rude remark about his parents’ divorce. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Trump has slapped tariffs on the Brazilian economy and punitive sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the chief justice most heavily involved in the prosecution of Jair Bolsonaro.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ortiz allegedly slapped his hands on the side of the car, prompting the driver to stop and get out.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Broncos kicker Wil Lutz drilled a 53-yard field goal in overtime to elevate Denver to a 17-14 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Public-health and environmental advocates have also raised concerns about drilling near communities, including potential air- and water-quality harms.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Zuckerberg and Wang want Muse Wonder and the more powerful Muse Wonder Full to drive Muse, Meta’s personal AI agent, which can act on people’s behalf.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Shelie Miller, a University of Michigan professor who studies the environmental impacts of products, said Halloween costumes, like fast fashion, are often made cheaply from plastic materials.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The cyclists cross the state, generating an economic impact estimated at $25 million.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • To prepare to lead in these areas, CISOs must approach AI readiness with the same vigor and care as AI adoption, building the skills, judgment and development opportunities employees need to govern AI effectively.
    — Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As Doo-sik, Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo is delivering the show’s defining performance with such vigor and charisma that Stone’s hand is, whether intentionally or not, tipped.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The officials hope the blow will make Iran more amenable to negotiations.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This year, however, trails were closed to protect the desert tortoise, dealing a fatal blow to the town's crucial tourism industry.
    — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Cupertino writers are really cooking with this case, which once again sees multiple reversals of fortune, with Chatlike presenting airtight arguments that PSA punctures and vice versa.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The seven-step facial includes a cleanse; a professional biostimulating step applied to the skin with no needles; lifting; nano-infusion with a no-puncture tip; a cold biocellulose mask; LED, and finishing serums and SPF.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eventually, Bird’s film — with a script co-written by Matthew Robbins — gets to the meat of the action when Venus’ extremely complicated life runs smack into Ray and his knack for sniffing out bad guys.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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