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
Witnesses said LaBeouf was thrown out of the bar for being aggressive, then punched someone several times outside.
—
Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
When police intervened, multiple arrests were made, including a student who allegedly punched an officer, which required staples in the officer’s head to treat, according to police.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Delia then punched him in the head about seven times while Boddie rummaged through the victim’s backpack, prosecutors charge.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Betts collapsed into her lectern, the come-from-behind winner with a ticket punched for the Jeopardy!
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
The teams exchanged verbal insults before Anthony Sapienza punched one of the victims and struck him in the face with a pickleball paddle, according to the affidavit.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The victim was punched, kicked and pushed from a bicycle, resulting in a loss of consciousness and a possible concussion.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
That's when Palmer punched Simpson in the mouth, knocking him to the floor, court records say.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Palmer punched him, knocking him to the ground.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
When police intervened, multiple arrests were made, including a student who allegedly punched an officer, which required staples in the officer’s head to treat, according to police.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Delia then punched him in the head about seven times while Boddie rummaged through the victim’s backpack, prosecutors charge.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Betts collapsed into her lectern, the come-from-behind winner with a ticket punched for the Jeopardy!
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
The teams exchanged verbal insults before Anthony Sapienza punched one of the victims and struck him in the face with a pickleball paddle, according to the affidavit.
—Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
The victim was punched, kicked and pushed from a bicycle, resulting in a loss of consciousness and a possible concussion.
—Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
That's when Palmer punched Simpson in the mouth, knocking him to the floor, court records say.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Palmer punched him, knocking him to the ground.
—Nolan Clay, Oklahoman, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punched
Verb
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Beware of the word ‘spread’ slapped across anything passing itself off as pimento cheese.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The league also slapped the Pistons’ Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart with suspensions.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fox drilled a game-winning 3-pointer to defeat Team Stars.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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In response, Hodges leaned on the same explanation his agency had relied on for months, blaming the company that drilled her water well.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those include removing security gates that people complained rattled when cars drove over the track and notifying neighbors of special events at least 30 days in advance.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That drove prices over $20, and Larry Dolan, the uncle of MSG Sports chairman James Dolan, agreed to buy the team for $323 million in 2000, locking in a nice profit for shareholders.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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After accepting a cross-ice pass from Ryan McDonagh, Kucherov smacked a one-timer from outside the right faceoff dot over Swayman’s glove, tying the score at 5-5.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Williams introduces us to a woman who is pierced by the clarity of her vision.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Raha was one of them, killed by a bullet that pierced her lungs.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Founder Sherille Riley, who previously worked as a facialist for high-end brands like La Prairie and Crème de la Mer, had until recently struggled to shop for K-beauty in person and initially bought the products online – only to run the risk of long shipping times or unknowingly buying a fake.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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His spokesperson said the number of mentions is not unexpected given their long-running ties.—
JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cooper went up for a fast-break dunk and Jamerson knocked him to the floor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In his complaint, Rodriguez alleges the punch from Garcia knocked him unconscious.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loamy soil keeps its shape but crumbles easily when poked.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The sheet cake is poked with the handle end of a wooden spoon, creating big holes into which the lemon Jell-o (the glaze) was poured.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punched. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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