1
as in slapped
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
after the man had punched the bartender for eighty-sixing him, bouncers stepped in and restrained him until the police could arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in drilled
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punched
Prosecutors said, on Friday, Marshall punched her 11-year-old son in the face, giving him a bloody nose, and poured dish soap down his mouth and into his ear.
—
Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at the dates and sites for each conference tournament and the winners that have punched their tickets to March Madness.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Another Baker family member tried to stop the fight, but she was also punched several times by Harper, deputies said.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The fire burned through part of the garage and punched a hole in the roof.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Californians feel more pain at the pump No other state is getting punched harder than California as the conflict with Iran pushes up gas prices, my colleague Iris Kwok reports.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Gabriel Davalillo – the Angels’ 18-year-old catching prospect – punched a ground ball through the right side with the runner going on a 3-and-2 pitch, putting runners at the corners.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Cornyn, for his part, has not shied away from the criticism and has even punched back at his opponents.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
Karzoun was punched once in the head near a shopping area on North Eagleville Road in the early morning hours on April 23, 2010, after a party reportedly attended by about 15,000 people at the Carriage House apartment complex near the Storrs campus was broken up.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at the dates and sites for each conference tournament and the winners that have punched their tickets to March Madness.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Another Baker family member tried to stop the fight, but she was also punched several times by Harper, deputies said.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
The fire burned through part of the garage and punched a hole in the roof.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Californians feel more pain at the pump No other state is getting punched harder than California as the conflict with Iran pushes up gas prices, my colleague Iris Kwok reports.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Gabriel Davalillo – the Angels’ 18-year-old catching prospect – punched a ground ball through the right side with the runner going on a 3-and-2 pitch, putting runners at the corners.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
Cornyn, for his part, has not shied away from the criticism and has even punched back at his opponents.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
Karzoun was punched once in the head near a shopping area on North Eagleville Road in the early morning hours on April 23, 2010, after a party reportedly attended by about 15,000 people at the Carriage House apartment complex near the Storrs campus was broken up.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punched
Verb
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From there, Grahovac slapped a base hit past the third baseman to drive Sorrell home.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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South Africa last year said the US had applied pressure on Pretoria to end laws aimed at redressing wealth imbalances caused by apartheid, and Washington later slapped a 30% tariff on many South African exports — the highest on the continent.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even Vanderbilt, who hadn’t made a 3-pointer in two weeks, drilled a corner look after nifty ball movement found him alone.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And Lloris drilled a deep ball in the 79th minute, nearly combining with Son and Bouanga.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaitlyn Thurman had 3 hits, including a home run, scored 3 runs and drove in 6 runs for West.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
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Stacey Wondra told the detectives that after placing Michael in the duffel bag, the group drove him to a house in Kuna and put him in a spare room, the affidavit said.—
Alex Brizee
March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the second inning of Japan’s WBC opener against Chinese Taipei on Friday at the Tokyo Dome, Ohtani smacked a hanging curve a few feet over the right-field wall for a grand slam, triggering an offensive onslaught that resulted in a 13-0 victory.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Brent Burns set up Landeskog’s one-timer from the high slot on the heels of a strong burst by MacKinnon, who had smacked a one-timer of his own in off the rush following Kempe’s errant pass at the offensive blue line.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At least four of the shots struck Bils, including one that pierced his back.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
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The bullet pierced his heart before reaching his lungs, his mother said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Those who are running are nice enough.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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According to an electoral profile of the former soldier, who is running as a Green Party candidate for a North Carolina senate seat, McGinnis served with the Marines from 2000 to 2004.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of the teens fell off the vehicle and was knocked unconscious.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Another officer knocked repeatedly at the door, but there was no answer, though Wojcik said the officers could see someone was inside.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Later in the week, as other analysts poked holes in the Citrini scenario, the market recovered some of its losses.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Second baseman Ethan Mendoza looks like a completely different player, so much so that teammates have poked fun at him in interviews.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punched. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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