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
Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The ancient asteroid shard at the heart of the event weathered the intense friction of atmospheric entry to punch a hole through the roof of a house in the city of McDonough, Georgia, shattering the floor a mere 14 feet (4 meters) from an unsuspecting resident.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Benjamin Sharoni, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Barnett, for example, believes his 1-2-3 punch at running back with Gio Limon, Caden Whiddon and Maddox Romans will make up for the graduation of Ryan Remigio, who rolled up 807 yards and scored six TDs.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
Farthing allegedly punched another hotel guest in the face during an argument.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The ancient asteroid shard at the heart of the event weathered the intense friction of atmospheric entry to punch a hole through the roof of a house in the city of McDonough, Georgia, shattering the floor a mere 14 feet (4 meters) from an unsuspecting resident.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
In Hollywood, the story often ends the same: the script is familiar – good triumphs over evil, with highs and lows, some emotional conflict, a car chase, a few punches, and maybe even a dramatic gunfight.
—Benjamin Sharoni, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Barnett, for example, believes his 1-2-3 punch at running back with Gio Limon, Caden Whiddon and Maddox Romans will make up for the graduation of Ryan Remigio, who rolled up 807 yards and scored six TDs.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Read more: Trump’s penalty threat puts India in a bind over Russian oil Trump has slapped steep tariffs on India.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Some claim the male victim slapped one of the perpetrators before the fight, sparking the beatdown.—
Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There is variability between firms; some can drill wells profitably with oil at $45.—
Matt Randolph,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
After the city was laid out, lots of wells were drilled, and it's said the mineral waters here have a higher concentration of lithium, which helps treat a range of mental and mood disorders.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Furthermore, with climate change driving record‑breaking heat waves and increasingly erratic weather, the industry faces a critical question: Can live music become climate‑conscious without losing its magic?—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
India’s transformation into an economic superpower has uplifted millions of households – which in turn have bought more cars and motorcycles, driving up the demand for gasoline.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, an overhead bin popped open and a few unbuckled passengers smacked their head on the ceiling.—
Elaine Godfrey,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Sitting down with IndieWire, smack in the middle of their getting ready process for World of Wonder’s FYC Pride Event on June 6 in Los Angeles, Season 17 queens Onya Nurve and Jewels Sparkles said the key to harnessing that legacy was having fun.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Sofia rests on ancient Roman ruins—its skyline pierced by golden Orthodox domes, leafy parks, and boulevards humming with espresso cafés and bookstalls.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
While slow, its sharp edges pierce deeply for its weight.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The series ran for 11 seasons, beginning in 2010 until its final episode in 2022.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The 37-year-old veteran winger was the difference-maker in the Panthers' latest Stanley Cup Finals run, posting 10 goals, 10 assists and a +17 plus-minus rating.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Produced by Universal Pictures, Nobody 2 is the sequel to the 2021 action comedy hit Nobody.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The Mega Millions jackpot was last hit June 27, when a Virginia player won the $348 million grand prize, lottery officials said.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The premiere episode was a hot topic not only among viewership and the media but within the White House as Parker and Stone brutally poked fun at President Donald Trump in both animated and live-action deepfake form.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
One video captured by beachgoers Annie Kremer and Connor Pelt and shared on TikTok shows the animals coming within feet of people standing in the sand, and the shark's fins poking out above the water as the massive stingray juts into view.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share