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
In 2019, when Altamirano was mayor pro tem, a council member accused Altamirano of sucker-punching him. Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 According to the arrest report, Deputy Isaiah Williams climbed on top of the victim and began punching her in the face. Anna McAllister, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tea slushies, lemonades, fruit punches, and aguas frescas are confidently complete on their own; a splash of a spirit is an optional pairing rather than the standard offering. The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 But the real gut punch would be the extreme rate-shock scenario, driving total repayment to $123,736 — nearly $20,000 more than the baseline. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • While outlining the details of Clancy's suicide attempt, Reddington slapped a quarter on the table and addressed the prosecutors in what appeared to be a direct challenge to the state.
    Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Woodland drilled his second shot on the par-5 18th hole from 279 yards to 9 feet, 4 inches.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Options considered during the analysis included drilling holes in the existing piles and adding more steel inside, or widening the pile caps so more piles could be added on the outside.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As such, this is meant to be a workhorse that's also enjoyable to drive.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The song has a driving bass line and would be interesting to perform with a live band.
    Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Freshman wide receiver Jonathon Lee is making an immediate impact on the program.
    Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Therefore, analysts note that if extreme weather worsens water and power scarcity, the impact could ripple through the entire semiconductor supply chain.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Cutting back is done in mid-summer when foliage looks ragged and blooming slows to increase plant vigor, control height, and encourage a second flush of blooms.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Kittle, seven weeks since tearing his right Achilles in a wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia, was seen conditioning with vigor and impressive agility on a side field earlier this week.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • If the aim, as stated, is to deal an economic blow to Iran, the fact is that the country is already under severe strain.
    Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Patients should put any items in a leak-proof, puncture-resistant container, such as a laundry detergent bottle.
    Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The leak-proof, puncture-resistant container should then be thrown in the trash, not recycled or flushed down a toilet.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The directorial debut of cinematographer Mi Steinbach, Strange Neighbors was shot over three years on Schwarztonnensand, an island and nature preserve on the German Elbe river, smack in the middle of one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In last fall’s season-opener, the Irish smacked Chicago Christian 47-6.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 31 Aug. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster