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
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Underwood was referring to his red-zone interception late in the first half and his third-quarter fumble when Purdue punched the ball out of his hands a few strides from the end zone.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
The poem is littered with gut punches that would destroy me as a parent; Lee sees the poem’s beauty and appears to feel appropriate shame.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
Videos shared on social media showed federal agents pinning a man to the ground and punching him in the head.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Underwood was referring to his red-zone interception late in the first half and his third-quarter fumble when Purdue punched the ball out of his hands a few strides from the end zone.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
The actor certainly packs a hilarious punch with his nonstop trolling of his friends and family.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
The poem is littered with gut punches that would destroy me as a parent; Lee sees the poem’s beauty and appears to feel appropriate shame.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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The elder Ciattarelli slapped his forward with his right hand as his son, dressed in camouflage fatigues, approached for a hug.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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One columnist with the New Pittsburgh Courier even slapped Whyte’s label on the United Nations, suggesting that countries, like individuals, had a primal aversion to yielding their sovereignty to the groupthink of world governance.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Kicker Kyson Scott drilled it, giving Lake Ridge a 38-20 lead at halftime.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rustin drilled Selva one last time on complex equations and imperial history.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The offer is available for dine-in and drive-thru only and is not valid through the McDonald’s app.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Timber, litter and understory vegetation are the main fuels driving the wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But, every once in a while, I’ll get smacked in the face by one.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
An arrest warrant has been issued for a high school football player accused of intentionally smacking one of his opponents on the head at their game, according to investigators in North Florida.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For Edelberto’s brother, Amilcar Hernandez, the death has been piercing and painful.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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In September, Manow posted a photo of her bloodied face and said Clateman knocked out her dermal piercing during a fight.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Under the public trees, children ran exultantly between cars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Cavaliers appeared to be in good position to escape with the win in regulation after forward Evan Mobley hit an above-the-break three-pointer off an assist from forward De’Andre Hunter to give Cleveland a two-point advantage.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
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Prosecutors said Chastain then used the flashlight to hit Raleigh in the head and mouth before leaving the area.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Vogue's Anna Wintour playfully poked fun at Rocky's daughter being his namesake in her introduction to the rapper, 37.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Sad and Beautiful World finds Mavis, 86, exploring, rediscovering, and poking holes at her lifetime of righteous optimism.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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