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
Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2026
After the first driver returned to their car, the second driver gave chase and punched the first driver’s rear window, appearing to shatter it.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 June 2026
Danielle Zickl, Health, 20 June 2026
The knockout punch was a three-run home run from Kazuma Okamoto that turned a tie game into an 8-5 deficit.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The video skips to a view showing one detention center officer next to Cole, holding him, as another deputy appears to punch Cole in the torso twice with his right fist, then changes position slightly and raises his left fist and appears to punch Cole in the torso 15 times with the left fist.
—Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2026
After the first driver returned to their car, the second driver gave chase and punched the first driver’s rear window, appearing to shatter it.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 June 2026
Noun
However, does one pack more of a nutritional punch with these health-boosting compounds?
—Danielle Zickl, Health, 20 June 2026
The knockout punch was a three-run home run from Kazuma Okamoto that turned a tie game into an 8-5 deficit.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 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.—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
-
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.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The exchange came about a minute after Clark drilled a 3-pointer in Reese's face.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
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.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
In other words, the current combination of US political tensions and global conflicts are driving more US nationals to seek new options overseas.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Naturally, Ohtani also singled, doubled, walked and drove in two runs in that game.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The 6-6 playmaker displayed his versatility on both ends, knocking down shots, creating for teammates and making an impact defensively against top competition from around the world.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Community members also mourned Robert Dee’s loss, commemorating his impact.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Gorlin-Crenshaw notes that cool temperatures, such as those below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, will slow plant development and reduce plant vigor.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Emotionally, militarily, even symbolically, this is a devastating blow to the Black Queen and her cause.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
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.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Note that good quality options are made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or polyester fabric that resists tears and punctures.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
-
Police arrested Frank and found his wife, Deborah Glaser, in the tub with multiple puncture wounds on her chest.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
There's one man smack in the middle of it all.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
For the viewer, the satisfaction comes through vicarious tactile sensation—witnessing how the thatch gets smacked in by a flat, hammerlike device, or the way a tile slots perfectly into a shelf niche.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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