PUNCH-UPS Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

punch-ups

noun

plural of punch-up, chiefly British

as in fistfights

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

truces

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch-ups

Noun

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
One way to look at the Washington Nationals’ kick-in-the-groin sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees — three leads in the eighth inning, three dizzying losses — is that none of the previous blows this team has taken have permanently felled it.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of blows

Noun

The use of body cameras has largely garnered bipartisan agreement, particularly amid aggressive confrontations between federal agents and members of the public over the past year.

— Holmes Lybrand, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Given that assaults with a firearm are more likely to lead to the death of the victim than assaults using other weapons, confrontations became deadlier.

— James Tuttle, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

Definition of confrontations

Noun

The Balboa Peninsula, which Stapleton represents on the council, has historically been an infamous hot spot for public drinking, disruptive parties and brawls throughout the summer and especially during the Fourth of July.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Interspersed with the adventure – and quite a few brawls with bad guys – are flashbacks to Kara’s time on Krypton and adopting Krypto.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Definition of brawls

Noun

The European champions won 56 per cent of their duels and 68 per cent of their aerial battles, dominating France in the uglier side of the game as well as with their on-ball qualities.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026
As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

As Minnesota's Medicaid program broils in the hot seat over a recent round of federal fraud indictments, Indiana's Medicaid program is gaining national attention as a counter-example for its efforts to crack down on program eligibility and waste.

— Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025
This Ninja air-fries, roasts, broils, bakes, and dehydrates—all while using about 80 percent less energy than a regular oven.

— Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2025

Definition of broils

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.

Browse Nearby Words

punch-up

punch-ups

punchy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Punch-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-ups. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of punch-ups

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dog days

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes