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
Taylor and Corey Conners were 1 up over Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns going to the 18th hole at Medinah when Taylor went into the trees and Conners could only punch back to the fairway. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026 Police said Warren punched a 15-year-old and caused a minor injury to the teen’s parent. — Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The gut punch came in the sixth inning when Trea Turner and Bryce Harper led off with consecutive singles. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026 It’s been around forever, packs a punch, and helped us defeat the Nazis in World War II. — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Iran has tried to push world energy prices higher with attacks on the region's oil shipping routes; the United States, in turn, has aimed to wreck Iran's economy by blockading its ports since June and slapping it with increasingly tough sanctions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The fight was so violent that each one of them punched, scratched, bit and slapped the other, Linhardt said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As his colleagues look on, Brunson, in his desk chair, drills the shot across the room.
    — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Miami pass rusher Chop Robinson drilled Mahomes and landed on him, drawing a roughing-the-passer penalty for 15 yards and a first down.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The nation's flood insurance program struggles to balance affordability, flood protection and cost to taxpayers, leaving millions vulnerable at a time when climate change is driving flood risk higher.
    — MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • These, then collided with boron nuclei and helped drive the fusion reaction rate beyond 100 million reactions per second.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At Duke University, meanwhile, the Neuroartifact project is using neuroscience and AI to better understand the cognitive impact of archaeological artifacts.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Executives from French media and entertainment group Mediawan Group, whose production banner portfolio includes Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, were among the people on stage getting quizzed about the impact of mega-mergers.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 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
  • In a blow to the investment migration industry, the European Union's top court ruled Malta's golden passport program unlawful in April 2025, declaring that EU citizenship could not be sold.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Ski resorts hope to bounce back Paltry snow across the American West last winter dealt a crippling blow to resort towns whose economies depend heavily on tourism.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Carruthers groaned in pain and blood oozed from puncture wounds, DeLiberato said in a news briefing.
    — Catherine Sweeney, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Each egg is inserted into a developing fruit through a puncture in its skin.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Contreras smacked Young’s sinker 403 feet to left to lead off the fourth for his 18th homer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In a fight with yet more mercenaries, Reacher smacks a gun out of a guy’s hand using one of Philadelphia’s moving subway trains.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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