as in fisticuffs
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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-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
The vibe and verve are like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets Repo Man, but the material needed an extra punch-up at script stage.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 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
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
The vibe and verve are like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets Repo Man, but the material needed an extra punch-up at script stage.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 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
Noun
-
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
-
Dilliehunt and Bland were shot and killed during a fistfight on the 1600 block of 83rd Avenue in Oakland, which the surviving victims claim started with an argument over a parking spot.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees started their slugfest in style against the Rays, as Judge’s big fly traveled 429 feet to the batter’s eye at Steinbrenner Field.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover Notes: It’s been a slow, ugly slugfest among the backup tight ends to see who can win the No. 3 job.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2026
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
But our three-way confrontation was still far from over.—
Bob Brody,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
-
Muldur was in the middle of the confrontation in stoppage time in the first half that led to Galarza's ejection.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Chaos erupted after activist and opponent to Henyard Jedidiah Brown called the former supervisor an expletive, leading both Woods and Henyard to enter the melee.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
-
Finally the Act 4 update will also bring the Blackspyre Collection of skins, which feature custom art for the Phantom, Sheriff, Spectre, Ares, and new melee, the Divide, and there will obviously be a new battlepass to grind through.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
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
Noun
-
May 26 Juniper O’Reilly and Mo Elmthorn are best friends, roommates, and farmers who share an idyllic cottage life filled with livestock, tavern visits, and the occasional brawl.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
-
According to the sheriff's office, six people have been arrested in connection with the brawl.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The African team possessed the ball 52% of the time, had 563 accurate passes (92%) to Argentina’s 504 (90%) and held a 43-39 advantage in duels won.—
Darren Sabedra,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
-
What gets all the attention is the duel between me and a few of them.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-up. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
