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
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Recent Examples of punches
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
At under $150, this one punches well above its weight.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Kyle Busch punches Joey Logano on pit road at Las Vegas!
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Three days before the first punches are set to be thrown at a White House-UFC event, the South Lawn is unrecognizable.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2026
Last year, as Harbour was gearing up for the release of Stranger Things' final season, he was forced to grapple with the very public fallout of his split from Allen, who pulled no punches while addressing their separation on her October 2025 album, West End Girl.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
To fight well means practicing how to control one’s emotions, how to synchronize breaths with punches, how to set aside vanity, how to prevail through extreme discipline and restraint.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Lasers, punches, and tail swings toppled skyscrapers, giving each battle a cool, cinematic feel.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
Within that multi-year unwinding, the SOX suffered two more gut punches of more than 10% on a single day in October 2000 and July 2002.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Photos from the event show Knox, who will be 18 in July, exchanging punches and kicks with an opponent.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
For a sparsely populated state with only four votes in the Electoral College, Maine punches above its weight politically, which is reflected in the $300 million spent already by the campaigns and dark money Political Action Committees.
—David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Verb
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
At under $150, this one punches well above its weight.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 May 2026
Kyle Busch punches Joey Logano on pit road at Las Vegas!
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Noun
Most baseball fights produce a little shoving, occasional hugging, some dancing and pulled powderpuff punches.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Three days before the first punches are set to be thrown at a White House-UFC event, the South Lawn is unrecognizable.
—Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2026
Last year, as Harbour was gearing up for the release of Stranger Things' final season, he was forced to grapple with the very public fallout of his split from Allen, who pulled no punches while addressing their separation on her October 2025 album, West End Girl.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
To fight well means practicing how to control one’s emotions, how to synchronize breaths with punches, how to set aside vanity, how to prevail through extreme discipline and restraint.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Lasers, punches, and tail swings toppled skyscrapers, giving each battle a cool, cinematic feel.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
Within that multi-year unwinding, the SOX suffered two more gut punches of more than 10% on a single day in October 2000 and July 2002.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Photos from the event show Knox, who will be 18 in July, exchanging punches and kicks with an opponent.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
For a sparsely populated state with only four votes in the Electoral College, Maine punches above its weight politically, which is reflected in the $300 million spent already by the campaigns and dark money Political Action Committees.
—David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 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.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
-
Minnesota has a desire to get Edwards off the ball more next season to create more of the easy catch-and-shoot looks the superstar routinely drills.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
At a time when corporate values are often reduced to wall art and mission statements, Paul Ingram has spent years studying what actually drives human behavior inside organizations.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
As Legendary’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Rich drives the global vision of marketing, branding, communications, while focusing on expanding the studio’s business through new technologies in marketing and data analytics.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The biggest blows came from Garcia and Starling Marte.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
Suddenly, Brooks began raining down blows on Sumner with a gutta-percha cane while an accomplice warded off lawmakers who tried to intervene.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
This design allows for enhanced thermal stability and resistance to physical damage such as punctures.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
10 June 2026
-
The minimally invasive technique uses small needle punctures instead of larger surgical incisions, which can help reduce pain and speed up recovery for patients.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Quick hits Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who is seeing time at safety, blitzed Pickett for a would-be sack during 11-on-11 work.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
He's recorded 135 total tackles, 24 sacks, and 53 quarterback hits.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
And after several brain health retreats, Six Senses now runs a one-day Mind Your Brain program at several of its properties, from Fiji to the Seychelles, claiming to combat everything from brain fog to mental fatigue with activities like brain games, yoga, sound baths, and meditation.—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
-
Benjamin did say the operator runs a similar business elsewhere in Connecticut that successfully combines wellness with entertainment.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punches. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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