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
Video of the incident shows two officers struggling with the woman, with one of them punching her in the head before taking her to the ground. Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 The Pharaohs fought so bravely but, in trying to win the game before extra time, were sucker-punched by a gung-ho counterattack finished by Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández, who, alongside the GOAT, cried for Argentina at full time. David Hickey, NBC news, 8 July 2026
Noun
Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more. Ryley Amond, CNBC, 7 July 2026 The other became synonymous with luxury retail, designer fashion and the glamour of Knightsbridge, helping redefine department store shopping during the 1990’s and became an icon of high fashion and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ punch-lines. Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • The former legislative aide also claims that Basabe slapped him across the face and told him to stand in a corner at a private event in 2023.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Women slapped their heads with their hands in mourning, while men beat their chests in unison, a tradition observed at Shia Muslim funerals.
    Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • If that weren’t enough, after Toronto made a hoop, Salaun drilled another triple to clinch the win, putting her thumb and two fingers in the air on her way back down the court.
    Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • Gauff drilled her footwork, working to optimize her explosive speed for a slippery surface on which hard stops and aggressive sprinting can often backfire.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Feedback will help guide future improvements for people who walk, bike, use transit and drive through the corridor.
    Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • When her husband, financier John Molner, returned home from the gym, the two drove to the campus of the Aspen Institute, where Couric was excited to hit the hot dog stand for lunch.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Mexico’s World Cup run may be over, but for many Mexican Americans, its emotional impact endures.
    Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Ship operators are favoring the Iranian route over the corridor along Oman’s coast, reinforcing the impact of the tanker attacks earlier this week, according to the trade intelligence firm Kpler.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Reading these two new plays this year, I was struck by the stylistic vigor and structural fluidity.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The Wahl brothers shared a vigor for learning about different cultures through similar avenues.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Ohtani’s absence will be a blow for baseball’s Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park.
    Dan Greenspan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • The Atlas Lions are the lone African team left in the competition and are looking to stun the footballing world with a takedown blow of Didier Deschamps’ 2018 World Cup champions in this revenge match.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Noun
  • What the data punctures is the assumption that every task needs a frontier model, priced like one.
    Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The right tool for the job Puncture tools are used for a variety of different jobs, and those jobs often dictate how the puncture tool evolves.
    Philip Anderson, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Almost two years ago, China’s east coast was smacked by one of the strongest storms in decades, which temporarily halted container operations at both Shanghai and Ningbo ports.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
  • Gill saved the first shot in the penalty shootout against Germany, diving to his left and smacking away the ball headed for the back of the net.
    Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on punch

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!