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
But there’s an irony here, in that the movie then punches down on Marjorie and her co-conspirators in turn. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 One punched him in the face, and another stabbed him once in the buttocks, police said. Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
Guadagnino’s next stop is The Conformist (1970) swiftly followed by Last Tango in Paris (1972), the one-two punch that set him up as a major player in world cinema. Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026 This one-two punch will bring temperatures about 8 degrees higher than normal to areas south of Point Conception and a whopping 10 to 15 degrees higher to the north. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Trump has slapped a 50% tariff on Canadian goods and plans to ban the country's dairy, alcohol and auto imports later this month, drawing retaliation from Ottawa.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Texas quarterback Arch Manning has apologized for his public reaction to a video that was altered by AI to show Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe and knocking her to the ground.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But various companies over the years have drilled and explored the site, building evidence that the mine still has lots to offer.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The company is drilling toward rock measuring 750°F (400°C), where each well could deliver up to 10 times the power of a conventional geothermal well operating at 390°F (200°C).
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Maybe real New Yorkers do drive, because this is some serious New York behavior.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Yet the deepest human transformations operate on a different layer of architecture—driven by adaptive, systemic processes that our analytical minds can’t fully dictate.
    Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The financial cost is just one measure of the impact of the Iran war, which also is affecting oil prices and the stock market and has led to deaths and injuries of American troops.
    Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Established in 2006, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to protect the environment and promote sustainable development by limiting climate impacts and promoting renewable energy sources.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Garden mum expert QiuXia Chen explains that the differences between potted mums and garden mums relate to their flower size, branching, flowering times, plant habit, and vigor.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Appropriate pruning and sanitation practices, routine fertilization in accordance with the plant’s needs, and protection from environmental stressors (drought, heat, or cold) are all vital to maintaining vigor.
    Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • If last year’s bill delays were a blow to budgets, distribution troubles were the uppercut.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • While often associated with blows to the head during contact sports, concussions are common at all ages.
    Richard Sima, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The city’s medical examiner later determined that a puncture wound found in the woman’s back caused her death, which was ruled a homicide.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • As blood gushed from deep puncture wounds on his torso and limbs, Singh fought to get away from his attacker.
    Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Dangbei rates it at 3,100 ISO lumens, which puts it pretty smack dab in the middle of projectors in this price range (MSRP is $1,999).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2026
  • That stretch started with the doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers earlier this month, when Bazzana smacked a tying homer and a walk-off single in the nightcap.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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