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
Millhouse punched Brown twice while approaching the front door, causing the the councilperson to fall to the ground, according to a probable cause affidavit later authored by Oakland police. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 This matters because international visitors tend to punch above their weight economically. Michael Cheng, The Conversation, 23 July 2026
Noun
Skip the footwork and practice the punches from a stationary stance. Jenessa Connor, Health, 21 July 2026 The front-wheel-drive model remains the efficiency champion, while all-wheel drive adds traction and considerably more punch. New Atlas, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Brussels, however, was less charitable with EU regulators slapping a fine of 890 million euros ($1 billion) on Google, its first penalty under the Digital Markets Act, for favoring its own services.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • Since the fire, Southern California’s Air Quality Management District has slapped Lineage with multiple violations tied to the warehouse.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • In June 2023, TotalEnergies officially began drilling for oil in the Tilenga project area within the park.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • The left-handed-hitting first baseman has drilled 15 of his home runs this year in 275 plate appearances against righties, 10 in 159 at home and nine in 139 against right-handed pitching at home.
    Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.
    Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • The voucher effect The state’s voucher expansion has had a profound impact on the growth of Catholic schools.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • The ongoing Cyclospora outbreak underscores the impact of underfunded public health systems, as CDC staff and lab cuts impede crucial detection and investigation efforts.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • The Victorian era was awash in handwringing about the loss of male vigor (some of which was blamed on the unnatural intellectual pursuits of women).
    Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
  • His ideas were too radical even for many of our Founding Fathers, but the vigor of his writing and the clarity of his thinking were as a spark to gunpowder, and that was coming, too.
    Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • San Francisco has already seen right-hander Hayden Birdsong undergo Tommy John surgery earlier this year, and losing McDonald for an extended period of time would be another brutal blow for the pitching staff.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • Under Ozel’s leadership, the CHP had delivered a significant blow to Erdogan’s party in the 2024 municipal elections.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • The neighbor also suffered a puncture wound during the fight, police said.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Necrotizing fasciitis can be contracted when bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish waters enters the body through open cuts, scrapes, burns or other puncture wounds, or by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
    Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • The Tampa Bay Rays third baseman smacked a 463-foot whopper late last month.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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