1
as in slaps
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 drills
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in blows
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 punctures
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punches
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This speaker punches well above its weight!
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 May 2026
David then rushes forward and punches Niemi in the back of the head at least twice, according to the video.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Malcolm Arnold’s 2,000-square-foot business, Apple Core Electronics, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick makes exterior intercom panels, sets their wiring, punches buttons and engraves addresses.
—New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philly punches well above its weight.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The catcher receives the signal, checks his wrist band, then punches the command into his PitchCom.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Aeration can be done with a core aerator that punches shallow holes in the surface, or with a shovel or a rototiller that turns the soil more deeply.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Mansfield punches ticket, eliminates Weatherford Mansfield pulled away with 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning to clinch a playoff berth and eliminate Weatherford from contention, 7-2, in a District 3-6A game on Tuesday night at Weatherford High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Reigns hit a pair of Superman punches, but Fatu hit a kick.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Around eight months before filming, the stunt team – led by second unit director Kyle Gardiner and fight coordinators Michael Lehr and Malay Kim – showed him the previs, giving him time to shape the sequences and add Kung Lao’s signature Wing Chun punches and teleportation movements.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2026
Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The 76ers weren’t absorbing punches and waiting to be buried.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Professional wrestling violence is normally scripted, meaning both parties agree to hit each other with punches, kicks, throws and even sometimes weapons to tell a violent story in the ring.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
There were no punches thrown or any shoving, but Hinch and Contreras did exchange words as bullpen pitchers ran onto the field.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The ability to persevere, to keep going despite the punches.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
Despite its small size, South Korea punches way above its weight culturally — and the Western world has taken notice.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This speaker punches well above its weight!
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 May 2026
David then rushes forward and punches Niemi in the back of the head at least twice, according to the video.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Malcolm Arnold’s 2,000-square-foot business, Apple Core Electronics, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick makes exterior intercom panels, sets their wiring, punches buttons and engraves addresses.
—New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philly punches well above its weight.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The catcher receives the signal, checks his wrist band, then punches the command into his PitchCom.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Aeration can be done with a core aerator that punches shallow holes in the surface, or with a shovel or a rototiller that turns the soil more deeply.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Mansfield punches ticket, eliminates Weatherford Mansfield pulled away with 4 runs in the top of the seventh inning to clinch a playoff berth and eliminate Weatherford from contention, 7-2, in a District 3-6A game on Tuesday night at Weatherford High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
However, there’s usually an honor code with that – nothing else but punches and giving the fight crowd a show.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
Reigns hit a pair of Superman punches, but Fatu hit a kick.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Around eight months before filming, the stunt team – led by second unit director Kyle Gardiner and fight coordinators Michael Lehr and Malay Kim – showed him the previs, giving him time to shape the sequences and add Kung Lao’s signature Wing Chun punches and teleportation movements.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2026
Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The 76ers weren’t absorbing punches and waiting to be buried.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Professional wrestling violence is normally scripted, meaning both parties agree to hit each other with punches, kicks, throws and even sometimes weapons to tell a violent story in the ring.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
There were no punches thrown or any shoving, but Hinch and Contreras did exchange words as bullpen pitchers ran onto the field.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The ability to persevere, to keep going despite the punches.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punches
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The nonprofit drills wells to provide clean water.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
So does her husband who drives a van for people with disabilities.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
As with all the company’s apparel and merchandise purchases, a portion of the proceeds supports the Guy Harvey Foundation, which funds scientific research, advances education and drives advocacy to protect marine ecosystems.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Gagen, who hits left-handed, started the season setting but moved to full-time hitting.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Jackson’s hits compilation Number Ones is at Number 13, the Michael soundtrack is at Number 37, and The Essential Michael Jackson is at Number 158.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The building’s backstory runs almost as deep as its celebrity roster.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
7 May 2026
-
Fans of First Watch in the Treasure Valley can expect more locations, according to Richards, owner and operator of Rise and Smile, the restaurant franchise group that runs First Watch locations in Idaho and Utah.—
Michael Deeds
May 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 May 2026
-
The flight attendants then attempted to solve the problem by shoving napkins inside the ceiling holes.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punches. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
