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
With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Jenkins brutally stomped and punched Coto, who was severely injured and put on life support.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In other news and notes… 1) Bugonia, a somewhat polarizing film, punched above expectations, landing a best actor nom for Jesse Plemons and a best actress nom for Emma Stone, two of their generation’s true actors’ actors.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Gonzalez chased her down, punched her several times and then dragged her back to the truck, police said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Fourteen teams punched their tickets to the tournament.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The man attempted to intercept the hulking crook, who punched the victim in the face, cops said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
In response, Delaware last March passed a law to make the state more alluring, to which Texas quickly counter-punched with an even friendlier law.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
The woman punched the air with her umbrella.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Jenkins brutally stomped and punched Coto, who was severely injured and put on life support.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
In other news and notes… 1) Bugonia, a somewhat polarizing film, punched above expectations, landing a best actor nom for Jesse Plemons and a best actress nom for Emma Stone, two of their generation’s true actors’ actors.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Gonzalez chased her down, punched her several times and then dragged her back to the truck, police said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Fourteen teams punched their tickets to the tournament.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The man attempted to intercept the hulking crook, who punched the victim in the face, cops said.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
In response, Delaware last March passed a law to make the state more alluring, to which Texas quickly counter-punched with an even friendlier law.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
The woman punched the air with her umbrella.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punched
Verb
-
Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Its tail slapped the surface of the water, marking la paiche’s territory.—
Noah Lederman,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While heavy crude oil is what is predominantly being drilled for today, its viscous consistency and high levels of metals and sulfur mean extracting and refining this product is significantly more costly than its light crude counterpart.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Capping two solid seasons for the Huskies, Freeman drilled a 49-yard field goal off the frozen, slick turf in frigid weather, worth noting for NFL teams in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Muñoz-Guatemala then drove with the Taser hanging out of the car window, and was arrested about a mile away by local police officers.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The suspect drove around the area before surrendering to police in Atwater Village.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The group has smacked around quarterbacks, tackled well and dominated most key areas but hasn’t taken the ball away like an elite defense.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
-
We’re getting smacked around by teams by 30, 40 points.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ade stood over his bride, deeply concerned, when a lively drum roll pierced the air.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Consuelos discussed an increase in mosquitos while a buzzing noise pierced the air.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both have spent heavily in the transfer market this year — City around £180million in January and a further £220m in the summer, Liverpool just short of £450m this summer — but very few of the incoming players have hit the ground running.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The venue will run limited weekday hours, with longer sessions on weekends.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The campaign touted 3 million doors knocked and 90,000 volunteers.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Lancers remained patient, chipping away until taking a 17-16 lead after three straight OLP errors, including Prior and Charlotte Wickstrand colliding on a ball, which knocked Wickstrand out for the set.—
Tim Meehan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Whoopi Goldberg, Emily Blunt and Natasha Lyonne were among the stars expressing their outrage, while Ryan Reynolds poked fun at Tilly in his new Mint Mobile ad.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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Low branches poked at the roof of our boat and brushed our arms.—
Idra Novey,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punched. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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