punch-up

noun

Definition of punch-upnext
chiefly British
as in fisticuffs

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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-up About deluded coaches and philandering teammates and practice-field punch-ups. — Leander Schaerlaeckens june 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 Among them are Neeson as a Great Gatsby-esque type who puts Declan in the hospital after a punch-up and Cleese as a priest who also doubles as the Grim Reaper. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 May 2026 Two of the pilots are multi-camera shows, which are shot in front of a live audience and can benefit from the plethora of comedy writers who live in the area and serve as punch-up writers. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026 But comics depend on feedback – punch-ups from fellow comedians and reactions from audiences – iterating jokes in the same way lean startups may innovate new products. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025 That said, the negative reputation surrounding the last lines in Jones’ thorny adaptation — a punch-up from Ellison’s original text that’s meaner and more sexist, no doubt — seems outsized. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 July 2025 Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025 Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved. — David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch-up
  1. fistfight
  2. slugfest
  3. blows
  4. confrontation
  5. melee
  6. punch-out
  7. brawl
  8. duel
Noun
  • Later, Enola also participates in a horseback chase and violent fistfight with the female villain.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
  • Its satirical video, depicting politicians descending into an all-out fistfight, proved especially prescient during the fevered atmosphere of the 2016 election cycle.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 17 June 2026
Definition of fistfight
Noun
  • Sweden loses key piece The first half was a sloppy slugfest as both teams tried to use their physicality to assume control.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • The Republican race for governor between Rick Jackson and Burt Jones has been nothing short of a slugfest.
    — Shannon McCaffrey, AJC.com, 10 June 2026
Definition of slugfest
Noun
  • The eighth and final reprieve followed an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Pardons at which a State Police major, who believed Smith was innocent, nearly came to blows with Smith’s prosecutor, who was just as convinced of Smith’s guilt.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • Now his sons, who were with him during the confrontation, won’t ride with him anymore.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 July 2026
  • Russia favors direct territorial annexation and confrontation, whereas China employs a subtle 'gray-zone' strategy, prioritizing practical control over formal annexation.
    — Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • Paredes, who had already received a yellow card in the game, was booked again for his part in the melee and was shown a red card.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • To his credit, Garcia didn’t react, but the incident led to another melee.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of melee
Noun
  • Most people aren’t focused on Advent calendars right now — those chocolates hidden under perforated punch-outs to celebrate each day of the season.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
  • During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters, the Patriots practiced punch-out drills directly in front of reporters.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of punch-out
Noun
  • Republicans are relishing the long Democratic brawl, while Democrats feel confident about holding on to Michigan.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 27 July 2026
  • One of the first incidents that year was a brawl involving about 50 juveniles, police at the time said, with a gunshot heard later that night, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Physicality is an important aspect in winning such duels, but Stones’ timing is often impeccable in the crucial moments.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • In some fuzzy plotting, that negotation will hinge on a duel between the star players of both sides.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of duel

Browse Nearby Words

punch-outs
punch-up
punch-ups
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Cite this Entry

“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-up. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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