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
  • Despite another week of next to nothing offensively early on, the Broncos dragged the Niners into a fistfight.
    — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
  • When the race goes green on Sunday, Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar — protagonists in a late accident at Bristol and the fistfight that followed — will be subjects of intense scrutiny.
    — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 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
  • Deaton was well-prepared, brought the fire, and landed a number of blows that at times appeared to make Markey wince.
    — Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The two countries have been trading blows on energy infrastructure.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • Last year, a Senatobia officer threatened a Black woman with a Taser, pulling her from her car and onto the ground and arresting her during a confrontation over an accessible parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.
    — SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The danger is that Ethiopia’s internal fighting, its confrontation with Eritrea and regional disputes over ports and water could fuel one another.
    — KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • The fifth man had escaped during the melee; he was found dead of his injuries a half mile away.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The encampment, which included Jewish student participants, was attacked by counterprotesters in an overnight melee that spring.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 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
  • Doing so after a postgame brawl that made national news could be even tougher.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The brawl began when the players were shaking hands, just after Grayson defeated Carol City 10-9.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Snell opened the seventh by walking Andrew Vaughn and losing an 11-pitch duel to Bauers, who won the battle with a two-run homer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The anticipated pitchers' duel between Yamamoto and Henderson didn't work out according to plan.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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