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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The Hurricanes are going to want to punch themselves in the face.
—David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
Noun
For a sparsely populated state with only four votes in the Electoral College, Maine punches above its weight politically, which is reflected in the $300 million spent already by the campaigns and dark money Political Action Committees.
—David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The officer who was injured was the victim of punches by a fan who entered and then refused to leave a restricted area.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Rojas slapped a single up the middle to put the Royals ahead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
After a South Africa giveaway near its own goal, the ball found Julian Quinones who drilled the first goal of the tournament.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Ben Brown projects to be the Patriots’ top backup at left guard and center, while 2024 third-round pick Caedan Wallace continues to drill as the second-team right guard.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Ties have cooled in recent years between the two sides – while Pyongyang drove closer to Moscow.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Advocates have long criticized the conditions at the Aurora facility, and those complaints — alongside concerns that more facilities could open in the state — helped drive HB 1276’s contents.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
But in terms of global impact, socially, culturally and economically, nothing comes close to the World Cup.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
Amodei, however, remained optimistic about AI's impact on humanity and its ability, for instance, to cure medical maladies.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Missing the gritty vigor of the first two films, Rocky III is more focused on violence than its predecessors and less interested in the witty character work that defined the original.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
-
These natural additives improve root systems and overall plant vigor, resulting in a fantastic profusion of blooms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
At that pace, even a tiny micrometeoroid has the ability to impart a significant kinetic blow upon striking a spacecraft en route to the moon, with potentially disastrous results for the astronaut crew inside.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
Sánchez had the big blow with a two-run shot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Solid-state batteries replace that liquid with solid materials, making cells more resistant to impact, puncture, and heat, dramatically reducing fire risk, and – most importantly – packing far more energy into the same weight.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 12,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
-
Stepping on one could result in a painful, venom-laden puncture wound.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Llamas smacked 139 hits in her career, Kyles 136.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
-
Then the others, perhaps hearing the now-familiar smack, smack, slurp of group tonsil hockey, followed suit.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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