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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punch
Ashley Andreou,
STAT,
22 June 2026
One area where the EM11 NL punches above its weight is connectivity.
—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
20 June 2026
From the cool blue hue to the soft textured pattern and white florals, this manicure packs a punch.
—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
He was wheeled into the emergency department by his mother after punching her, again.
—
Ashley Andreou,
STAT,
22 June 2026
One area where the EM11 NL punches above its weight is connectivity.
—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
Noun
Keep the punch virgin, or add a tablespoon of vodka, gin, or bourbon to each glass.
—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
20 June 2026
From the cool blue hue to the soft textured pattern and white florals, this manicure packs a punch.
—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.
-
Aranda slapped an outside changeup on a line down the leftfield line, and the ball struck the screen on the fair side of foul pole for a three-run homer.
Verb
-
The exchange came about a minute after Clark drilled a 3-pointer in Reese's face.
-
One of the hottest hitters on the planet this month, Soto drilled a 1-2 cutter from Nola into the right field stands with ease in the first inning.
Verb
-
Those moves unfold in the heart of the Pittsburgh Innovation District, where Oakland’s mix of universities, hospitals and startups is driving new construction and intensifying competition for space around campus.
-
The shooting took place in Towson Circle as the Majied and the suspect were driving in different cars.
Noun
-
Many of the injuries displayed rectangular, band-like and patterned characteristics consistent with impact from a belt-like object, Detective Balders wrote.
-
This has fueled debate over their impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute stoppages.
Noun
-
The crowd shook her car with such vigor that the 23-year-old Westminster resident couldn’t turn up the music like people shouted at her to do.
-
Gorlin-Crenshaw notes that cool temperatures, such as those below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, will slow plant development and reduce plant vigor.
Noun
-
Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.
-
When Lucerys refuses, Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon, seemingly meaning to injure him rather than kill him, but his dragon, Vhagar, delivers a fatal blow to Rhaenyra’s son.
Noun
-
Note that good quality options are made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or polyester fabric that resists tears and punctures.
-
Police arrested Frank and found his wife, Deborah Glaser, in the tub with multiple puncture wounds on her chest.
Verb
-
Kara and Ruthye figure out the Brigands are trafficking young women for dastardly purposes, giving them yet another reason to smack some dudes around.
-
Schwarber was able to work a walk, and then Derek Hill, another pinch hitter, came up and smacked a home run that gave Philadelphia the lead in a win over the Nationals.
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
