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
Things reached a nadir in December 2023 when Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca stormed onto the pitch at the end of a game and punched a referee, Halil Umut Meler, in the head.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Phoenix police have offered two accounts of what happened the night a pair of off-duty officers stood by as a man was fatally punched outside a downtown club.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
On the rooftop, Volk and another man approached the 23-year-old, who then punched Volk.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
He was kept for days, where he was punched, slapped and kicked.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The group punched and hit the employee repeatedly, banged on the car and pulled on the doors demanding the vehicle, according to prosecutors.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
But then came the altercation, in which Philadelphia midfielder Jesus Bueno batted Zaha’s hand down in the middle of the pitch and Zaha responded with an open-handed push to Bueno’s face, and Bueno of course went down to the ground as if he had been punched by Mike Tyson.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
The book also details several other incidents that his children relayed to him, including one where Preston claimed that Spears punched him in the face.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Phoenix police have offered two accounts of what happened the night a pair of off-duty officers stood by as a man was fatally punched outside a downtown club.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
On the rooftop, Volk and another man approached the 23-year-old, who then punched Volk.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
He was kept for days, where he was punched, slapped and kicked.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
The group punched and hit the employee repeatedly, banged on the car and pulled on the doors demanding the vehicle, according to prosecutors.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
But then came the altercation, in which Philadelphia midfielder Jesus Bueno batted Zaha’s hand down in the middle of the pitch and Zaha responded with an open-handed push to Bueno’s face, and Bueno of course went down to the ground as if he had been punched by Mike Tyson.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
Among the detentions in which allegations have not stuck, masked agents pointed a gun at, pepper sprayed and punched a young man who had filmed them searching for his relative.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
The book also details several other incidents that his children relayed to him, including one where Preston claimed that Spears punched him in the face.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punched
Verb
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The elder Ciattarelli slapped his forward with his right hand as his son, dressed in camouflage fatigues, approached for a hug.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
One columnist with the New Pittsburgh Courier even slapped Whyte’s label on the United Nations, suggesting that countries, like individuals, had a primal aversion to yielding their sovereignty to the groupthink of world governance.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Little drilled a 68-yard field goal in a 30-29 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders to set the record for the longest field goal made in NFL history.—
Chris Bumbaca,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The prototype drilled through ice samples about 8 inches (20 centimeters) long under vacuum and cryogenic conditions during laboratory experiments, and at greater depths in field tests in the Alps and Arctic, reaching depths of more than a meter in snow.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, Paul drove to a bar and took shots with Connor, according to surveillance video from the bar obtained by Greenville News.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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The Martinezes drove up from Miami to welcome their new baby to the family.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With that, Kirk smacked a grounder to shortstop Mookie Betts who stepped on second base, throwing to Freeman at first for the final two outs.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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The incidents were the latest to occur in the area since mid-September, when North Carolina’s east coast started being smacked by strong winds and surf waves.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Consuelos discussed an increase in mosquitos while a buzzing noise pierced the air.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
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In the clip, Hudson held onto her daughter's hand as the body artist pierced her daughter's ears.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Palace’s super-strength is low crosses provided by flying wing-backs, when they can be released, running into space on the edge of the box.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Frouman was President of international at North Road since its inception and ran the operation from the UK capital.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kelly was fired Sunday, one day after a 49-25 loss to Texas A&M dropped the Tigers to 5-3 and all but knocked them out of the College Football Playoff race.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
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My husband was against the window and felt a pop that actually knocked our door from the frame.—
George Solis,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lovato poked fun at herself, dressing as a meme from 2014.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Marcus poked out his bottom lip, but no whining this time.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punched. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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