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.
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Recent Examples of punches
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
In the 2015 track, Sonya’s boyfriend finds them by the pool and starts cussing them out, pushing Coley to the ground, who, in turn, punches him.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Food and drink The restaurant is intimate, with seating for 40, but the food punches way above its weight.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Many of these nations have spent years building a footballing infrastructure that punches well above their demographic weight.
—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
11 June 2026
During an intense scene, Simon punches a hole through a fellow actor’s face.
—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
This clever drink holder is another sneaky space saver that punches way above its weight.
—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
The officer then punches her multiple times, apparently in the face and upper body.
—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Places like Adelaide, Australia, a city within a park that punches above its weight with world-class wine, a booming food scene, and Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music designation.
—
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Members of Rita's loyalty program who use the Rita’s Ice app will get double loyalty punches with a purchase of the treat.
—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Classes typically cover correct stance, guard and foot positioning, basic punches and defensive movements like slips and rolls.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
The Daily Mail reports that a woman dressed in a black strapless dress ducked under a line divider and started throwing punches at a woman in her pajamas.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
The video then cuts to the attacker facing off with two men who have intervened, exchanging punches with one of them before running through the store with the men in pursuit.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Its 30mm drivers deliver balanced audio without distortion, and the sound quality punches way above its price point.
—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
23 June 2026
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter’s latest is a crisp and candid twee pop record with unexpected studio touches and gut punches.
—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
No such punches could be seen on the video.
—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
One area where the EM11 NL punches above its weight is connectivity.
—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
In the 2015 track, Sonya’s boyfriend finds them by the pool and starts cussing them out, pushing Coley to the ground, who, in turn, punches him.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Food and drink The restaurant is intimate, with seating for 40, but the food punches way above its weight.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Many of these nations have spent years building a footballing infrastructure that punches well above their demographic weight.
—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
11 June 2026
During an intense scene, Simon punches a hole through a fellow actor’s face.
—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
This clever drink holder is another sneaky space saver that punches way above its weight.
—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
The officer then punches her multiple times, apparently in the face and upper body.
—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Places like Adelaide, Australia, a city within a park that punches above its weight with world-class wine, a booming food scene, and Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music designation.
—
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
Noun
Gunther took out Sami Zayn after a delay, but Sami stormed back into the match and hammered Gunther with punches.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Members of Rita's loyalty program who use the Rita’s Ice app will get double loyalty punches with a purchase of the treat.
—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Classes typically cover correct stance, guard and foot positioning, basic punches and defensive movements like slips and rolls.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
The Daily Mail reports that a woman dressed in a black strapless dress ducked under a line divider and started throwing punches at a woman in her pajamas.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
The video then cuts to the attacker facing off with two men who have intervened, exchanging punches with one of them before running through the store with the men in pursuit.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Its 30mm drivers deliver balanced audio without distortion, and the sound quality punches way above its price point.
—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
23 June 2026
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter’s latest is a crisp and candid twee pop record with unexpected studio touches and gut punches.
—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
No such punches could be seen on the video.
—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punches
Verb
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
-
That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.
Verb
-
He is hyperfocused on details and drills home teaching points relentlessly.
-
The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month.
Verb
-
What drives so many people to 1) use racial slurs, then 2) go on Love Island USA?
-
This sector, focusing on vessels over 30 meters, drives manufacturing, skilled employment, and tourism.
Noun
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.
Noun
-
Note that good quality options are made of polyvinyl chloride, nylon or polyester fabric that resists tears and punctures.
-
This design allows for enhanced thermal stability and resistance to physical damage such as punctures.
Verb
-
Of course, the movie had to contend with the beloved Toy Story 5, and the staying power of recent horror hits like Obsession and Backrooms, so that at least explains it.
-
For a good deal on a budget gaming laptop, this 35% discount on the Asus TUF 16 hits the sweet spot.
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?
-
Lockwood’s music instills joy in listening, and such revitalized desire leaves your body freshly tender, sensitive to whatever pierces the ear.
Verb
-
Investigators were also searching a path that starts at the park and runs the length of the town.
-
The vote totals reset for Phase 2, which runs from next Monday through Thursday.
Cite this Entry
“Punches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punches. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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