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
Relevance
2
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
we're going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the poor palooka wasn't able to land a single punch on his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument
old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
In Wyoming, workers pled guilty to animal cruelty after they were exposed punching piglets and kicking them like soccer balls.
—Will Potter
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Even at full price, the DJI Mini 4K punches well above its weight.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
After failing to post his $17,500 bond, police said Klein woke up from a nap on Friday and allegedly became very combative, punching a security camera in his holding cell at the police department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
In Wyoming, workers pled guilty to animal cruelty after they were exposed punching piglets and kicking them like soccer balls.
—Will Potter
july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
Noun
Samsung also dropped the under-display technology for a regular old punch hole.
—PC Magazine, 9 July 2025
Even at full price, the DJI Mini 4K punches well above its weight.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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In recent days, Trump has slapped tariffs of at least 20% set to begin Aug. 1 on more than a dozen countries.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
-
Still, the track is powered by blazing horns and slapping guitar strings that power Tito’s core sound.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
11 July 2025
Verb
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James struck again, drilling a three-pointer over Cooper, drawing cheers from the fans.—
Broderick Turner
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
With Matt Brash on the mound for the Mariners, Stanton drilled a two-run homer.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Verb
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One chair represents the relentless pressure to deliver through hitting growth targets, driving innovation, and meeting stakeholder expectations.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Standing all of 4-foot-5 and weighing 63 pounds, Indie-Reign routinely smacks the ball about 170 yards off the tee.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
In 1648, a group of English Puritans set sail from Bermuda to avoid religious persecution only to smack into Devil’s Backbone reef.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Verb
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With piercing honesty and raw emotion, Jean Smart delivers a powerful monologue in Call Me Izzy, a new play written by Jamie Wax and directed by Sarna Lapine.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The hot nights pierced with cold decisions on young men’s futures.—
Devon Henderson,
Oc Register,
6 July 2025
Verb
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The company has applied for permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to run a phase II trial.—
Rachel Fieldhouse,
Scientific American,
1 July 2025
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His installation is called The Jewel of Mayfair, and features a carpet that runs the length of the arcade, nearly 560 feet, featuring stones and designs from each chapter of his 50-year career.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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While hitting 350 homers is a feat in itself, Judge reached the mark more quickly than former slugger Mark McGwire.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
The Padres took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a one-out single, moved to third on a single by Luis Arraez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Machado.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
The hard foul came after Sheldon poked Clark in the eye in the third quarter.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
The couple began dating in 2023 and frequently poke fun at each other on their social media pages.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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