1
as in to slap
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 to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
The Hurricanes are going to want to punch themselves in the face.
—
David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
The woman reportedly told police the athlete also threw her to the ground three times and punched a wall next to her head.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Decatur residents must have felt gut-punched when their pro football team the Staleys left the central Illinois community in 1921.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 8 June 2026
The woman reportedly told police the athlete also threw her to the ground three times and punched a wall next to her head.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Decatur residents must have felt gut-punched when their pro football team the Staleys left the central Illinois community in 1921.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
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Rojas slapped a single up the middle to put the Royals ahead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Following a one-hour delay, the rain mostly stopped Friday afternoon, but the Chicago Cubs were continually showered with boos after getting drilled, 18-3, by the San Francisco Giants in another rough performance at Wrigley Field.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
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His versatile shot-making was on full display down the stretch in Game 1, as Brunson repeatedly drove to the basket — particularly when shot-blocking Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was on the bench — and also drilled the game-winning 3-pointer.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Ties have cooled in recent years between the two sides – while Pyongyang drove closer to Moscow.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Advocates have long criticized the conditions at the Aurora facility, and those complaints — alongside concerns that more facilities could open in the state — helped drive HB 1276’s contents.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The shot smacked off the front of the rim.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Ben Williamson then smacked a ball to the right side that went off the glove of first baseman Spencer Torkelson, allowing Mullins and Fortes to score.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Verb
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As Stankiewicz attempted to utter another sentence, the train’s ear-piercing horn sounded.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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The county medical examiner said in an autopsy report that Obumseli, who worked in cryptocurrency, died from a forceful downward thrust from a blade that went three inches into his chest, piercing a major artery.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Bains, backed by Democratic Party leaders and major labor organizations, ran as a more moderate Democrat with a healthcare background who occasionally broke with her party on Assembly votes.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Bumila has drawn praise all year for his dominance, but Bishop Feehan again proved deep with a three-run day between Jack Gasse, Trace Reed and Carrera.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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The hitting coaches have been really emphasizing it.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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As the miles dragged on, a chase vehicle crept by periodically with cameras poking out the window to capture scenes that could later be shared on social media, where Emanuel now has an almost daily presence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
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New historical research suggests that one of the most legendary cities in history did not start out as a conquering warrior state — poking a hole in its founding myth.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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