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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Red Masks hold Fiona back Fiona as Constance punches her multiple times.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025
Wide receiver Anthony Eager runs for 21 yards on the reverse, and Bullock punches it in from the one-yard line.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 29 Nov. 2025
Our October cover confirmed the return of the elaborate design choice—one that punches far above its price point in terms of luxury.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
This creamy corn bake really punches above its weight.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Russia will not stop unless someone bigger and tougher than them punches him in the nose.
—Michele Kelemen, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
But the semifinals starting at Las Vegas definitely tips the scales toward Joe Gibbs Racing, as this is a track where Hamlin, Bell and Briscoe are well suited to get a win that punches one of their tickets to the title finale.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For its relatively small footprint, Hôtel Place d'Armes punches far above its weight from a culinary POV, with a fabulous on-site brasserie, a trendy sushi bar, and a panoramic roof terrace (open seasonally) that’s widely considered one of the city’s best spots for outdoor drinks with a view.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
The humanoid performs spins, punches, one-legged stances, rapid kicks, and low sweeps, then transitions into aerobatic sequences.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
The hit was legal, but Abbotsford’s Joseph Arnsten came after Stolberg from behind with a flurry of punches.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
Nick the bartender won’t serve flaming rum punches, apparently a staple in heaven, and nobody smiles anymore.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
In a game that felt like a Divisional Round playoff matchup, Jacksonville took a few early punches and fought back hard.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
The fifth round ended with Paul wobbling around the ring and Joshua’s punches bouncing his opponent off the ropes.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
The end of Squid Game, or at least the conclusion of the franchise’s foundation in Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) story, held no gut punches.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Moreno threw a few punches, per BBC, and the photographer that intervene sustained injuries.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
Coley punches back, and Sonya manages to pull her off of him.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2025
Red Masks hold Fiona back Fiona as Constance punches her multiple times.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025
Wide receiver Anthony Eager runs for 21 yards on the reverse, and Bullock punches it in from the one-yard line.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 29 Nov. 2025
Our October cover confirmed the return of the elaborate design choice—one that punches far above its price point in terms of luxury.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025
This creamy corn bake really punches above its weight.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025
Russia will not stop unless someone bigger and tougher than them punches him in the nose.
—Michele Kelemen, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
But the semifinals starting at Las Vegas definitely tips the scales toward Joe Gibbs Racing, as this is a track where Hamlin, Bell and Briscoe are well suited to get a win that punches one of their tickets to the title finale.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For its relatively small footprint, Hôtel Place d'Armes punches far above its weight from a culinary POV, with a fabulous on-site brasserie, a trendy sushi bar, and a panoramic roof terrace (open seasonally) that’s widely considered one of the city’s best spots for outdoor drinks with a view.
—Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Punch Makes a Comeback Exotic and nostalgic punches are taking center stage in home entertaining, offering both visual appeal and easy service.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
The humanoid performs spins, punches, one-legged stances, rapid kicks, and low sweeps, then transitions into aerobatic sequences.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Dec. 2025
The hit was legal, but Abbotsford’s Joseph Arnsten came after Stolberg from behind with a flurry of punches.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
Nick the bartender won’t serve flaming rum punches, apparently a staple in heaven, and nobody smiles anymore.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
In a game that felt like a Divisional Round playoff matchup, Jacksonville took a few early punches and fought back hard.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
The fifth round ended with Paul wobbling around the ring and Joshua’s punches bouncing his opponent off the ropes.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025
The end of Squid Game, or at least the conclusion of the franchise’s foundation in Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) story, held no gut punches.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Moreno threw a few punches, per BBC, and the photographer that intervene sustained injuries.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punches
Verb
-
The tarp slaps the frame of the truck’s roof.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
As the scrum disperses, D’Angelo turns to you and slaps you five.—
Touré,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.—
Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
-
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees and a glowing snowflake on the dashboard warns of icy roads, my car practically drives itself to Lighthouse Tofu in Annandale.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Those near misses helped extend Ole Miss drives at times.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In exchange for Sonis, Summit FC sent $120,000 to Louisville, a sum that could rise to $160,000 if Sonis hits certain performance conditions.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Keeping the Uconnect infotainment system in play is also a win for the Stellantis brand with its extremely simplistic useability, which really hits home for many.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nothing that pierces the skin should ever be used as leverage over a child's opportunity to education and to learn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Nicole Kidman's stare pierces the room.—
Jennifer Brett,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Daily baguette runs to the local bakery – an errand that Anract says used to be as automatic and ritualistic as brushing teeth – have become less frequent.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Admission is $8 per person and gets you access to the International Space Hall of Fame and the New Horizons Dome Theater & Planetarium, which runs daily shows and live presentations.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, when a wealthy telecommunications CEO knocks on their door and reveals his plans to regain the public’s trust in supers, the Parrs are all in.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Latin social dance is a place where people leave their worries at the door, but in Chicago, fear over immigration crackdowns knocks anyway.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It can be washed in a machine and has suction cups on the bottom — holes in the mat help drain excess water.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
-
Bullet holes spider-webbed across the windows, and shattered glass still littered the floor.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punches. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share