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
Ordinary except, of course, for that time humans punched it, opening the door for the Hera mission to explore the previously unremarkable rocks. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026 During the October 11 flight to NYC, Blair allegedly punched and bit two flight attendants. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
That intensity peaked last month, when fan favorite Carson Hocevar threw a punch at Ryan Blaney. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026 The league can choose to issue a fine, a warning, or a suspension, depending on the severity of the action (such as throwing a punch or severe endangerment of an opponent). — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo wasted no time in starting to rave about the Heat culture, a phrase that has become a lightning rod for criticism from talking heads around the NBA — especially after the franchise slapped the word across shirts and jerseys.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Less than three months after that deal was announced in January 2022, Smith became an industry pariah after slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, earning a 10-year ban from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Santos and others had drilled with limited results but couldn’t replicate the American formula.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Corsair drilled the inner portion of its 200mm fan frames to screw directly onto the rails when they are set at their 140mm position.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These viruses infect diverse deep-sea prokaryotes that drive vital cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The benefits of space exploration extend well beyond the Moon, potentially driving advances in energy storage, electric vehicles and other technologies on Earth.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Take Niklas Adalberth, who used his wealth from co-founding Klarna to set up the impact investor Norrsken, or Karl-Johan Persson, H&M chairman and grandson of its founder, who regularly backs Swedish startups.
    — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • To prepare to lead in these areas, CISOs must approach AI readiness with the same vigor and care as AI adoption, building the skills, judgment and development opportunities employees need to govern AI effectively.
    — Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As Doo-sik, Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo is delivering the show’s defining performance with such vigor and charisma that Stone’s hand is, whether intentionally or not, tipped.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • For now, better wheat and barley crops in Canada, Australia and Argentina, along with good harvests in the Middle East and North Africa, are cushioning the blow.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Then, after weeks of sit-ins and marches, Dharmendra Pradhan, the education minister, stepped down, a rare blow to Modi’s government, and one that more established opposition parties had been unable to land.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Lemmo Lemmo's gone with a 960-Wh semi-solid state battery, which reportedly allows for up to 110 miles (180 km) of range and won't go up in flames from punctures or thermal runaway incidents.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The 10-month-old boy had a deep puncture wound in his upper chest area, while the 3-year-old girl had an inner organ protruding out of a chest-area wound.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eventually, Bird’s film — with a script co-written by Matthew Robbins — gets to the meat of the action when Venus’ extremely complicated life runs smack into Ray and his knack for sniffing out bad guys.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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