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
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Recent Examples of punch
City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
The buttons along the earcups are also more distinct, and the microphone grilles have been redesigned from the usual mesh cavities to larger holes that appear to punch directly through the earcup chassis.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 18 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Though Export’s radical feminist art grew out of a particular political moment that had pretty much passed by the time Yuskavage began her career, the artists nonetheless share a rabble-rousing sensibility and an obsession with the unnerving visual punch of the female body.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
On the afternoon of the event, a Jewish man was walking his dog near the synagogue when Gitesatani approached from behind and punched him in the jaw, according to federal prosecutors.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
The buttons along the earcups are also more distinct, and the microphone grilles have been redesigned from the usual mesh cavities to larger holes that appear to punch directly through the earcup chassis.
—Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 18 May 2026
Noun
Try the Nutty and Nice (almost like a dessert) made with rye whiskey, cream sherry, coconut rum, Thai coffee, caramel, peanut punch foam, and some beautiful spices(can be made without peanuts)(can be made without peanuts).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Though Export’s radical feminist art grew out of a particular political moment that had pretty much passed by the time Yuskavage began her career, the artists nonetheless share a rabble-rousing sensibility and an obsession with the unnerving visual punch of the female body.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
She was also slapped into another dimension by Jules (Hunter Schafer) after lobbing several insults at her about Jules’ whole sugar baby situation.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
24 May 2026
-
Like any automaker, Jeep isn't afraid to collect a few bucks licensing out its brand to slap onto all kinds of basic lifestyle gear and consumer goods – from tote bags and tumblers to cheese boards and electric wine openers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 22,
New Atlas,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Trailing 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, senior centerfielder Blaise Heher drilled a double to left field that put him and junior shortstop Dillon Martin in scoring position.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
-
Buehrle got drilled in the foot by a comebacker and the ball ricocheted into foul territory on the first-base side.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The work is freelance and deadline-driven, with no salary, benefits, or job security.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Neto drove a 2-0 sinker 413 feet to center field, stunning Ginn and the A’s while ending a six-game losing streak for the Angels.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Garnacho has had far more opportunities and failed to make an impact.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
As part of the hotel’s social-impact aims, the rattan icebox and garbage bins were crafted by Burmese artisans who work with Kalinko, a social enterprise that creates handmade, sustainable products using traditional techniques.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Paz began his term with vigor, reaching out to the international community to break the isolation that had characterized the MAS era.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Nina, Karen and Caroline started appearing in my daydreams, full of vigor and life lessons.—
Jennifer Acker,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The digs at the pretensions of artists, channeled through Claire’s decision to make her death a public spectacle in order to secure some future fame, are less amusing here because the blows never seem to quite connect with their targets.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Ozel, in his first and only election as party leader, delivered a decisive blow to Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party in the 2024 municipal polls.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
An examination at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital discovered that the sky-diving cat only suffered a minor lung puncture in his free fall.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
The authors found distinctive puncture marks, skeletal damage and dismemberment patterns, all of which were consistent with an apex predator that immobilizes prey through concentrated gripping force, rather than prolonged tearing or chewing.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Andre Owens smacked three of Santa Margarita’s eight home runs in the game.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
-
While Irwin is getting smacked around, two mobsters terrorize the boys in the car before kicking them out and driving off in it.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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