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
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Recent Examples of punch
Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Apr. 2025
Play it safe, punch it back into the fairway, take your bogey and move on.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Different plants supply you with different antioxidants that can pack a greater anti-inflammatory punch together.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
Crushed raspberries and beer, vermouth sangria, a hot pink watermelon punch, and more cooling sips for summertime.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Apr. 2025
Play it safe, punch it back into the fairway, take your bogey and move on.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Golden and Jayden Reed become the 1-2 punch at wide receiver for the Packers.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Different plants supply you with different antioxidants that can pack a greater anti-inflammatory punch together.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
The two rivals slapped each other, and Charlotte missed a spear in the corner.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The Republican president slapped 10% tariffs on most goods entering the country but delayed the implementation of higher levies, pending negotiations.—
Trevor Hunnicutt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After Murray drilled a three-pointer and assisted Aaron Gordon on a three-pointer for a 17-point Nuggets lead, Lue called a timeout with 2:35 left in the game and removed his starters.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In these four lopsided games, the Cavs drilled 77 three-pointers.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Atlanta took advantage, with Trae Young driving for a layup to tie the score at 106 with 1.3 seconds remaining and force overtime.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then with two outs, Amed Rosario smacked an RBI single.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Once the screen comes, Dort smacked his inside leg into Hayes’ outside one.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Early Sunday morning, firefighter Graham Hoffman, 29, was in the back of an ambulance transporting a patient to the hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, when he was stabbed in the chest, piercing his heart, according to a press release published on the city's website.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Hoffman was stabbed in the chest, piercing his heart, Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said in a statement.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Similar ads have been run for 9/11 and other times of crises.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The heel run The Rock is referring to could happen sooner rather than later.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
-
More than 900 flights were halted across the U.S. on Wednesday, with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport hit the hardest with more than 700 of those cancellations.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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