1
as in slapping
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
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2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punching
LaBeouf’s campaign of terror ended when he was arrested for punching several people outside the Royal Street Inn & R Bar.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of simple battery for punching people outside a New Orleans bar in February during Mardi Gras.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Doorbell video captured Friday appeared to show Hyder punching the woman, 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, in the face several times while also wrestling her to the ground.
—Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The video appeared to show Hyder pulling Moore down to the ground and punching her before a second officer pulled Moore away and handcuffed her.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
When Henderson pulled out a knife and stabbed the pit bull to defend himself, a group of four men, including the dog's owner, came over and began stabbing and punching him, KTLA reported.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After a breakup, the teen was spotted punching a tree and behaving irrationally, the declaration states.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of simple battery for punching people outside a New Orleans bar in February during Mardi Gras.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Doorbell video captured Friday appeared to show Hyder punching the woman, 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, in the face several times while also wrestling her to the ground.
—Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The video appeared to show Hyder pulling Moore down to the ground and punching her before a second officer pulled Moore away and handcuffed her.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
When Henderson pulled out a knife and stabbed the pit bull to defend himself, a group of four men, including the dog's owner, came over and began stabbing and punching him, KTLA reported.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After a breakup, the teen was spotted punching a tree and behaving irrationally, the declaration states.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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In the run-up to the elections, Russia upped pressure on its ally by slapping import bans on Armenian products, including fresh fruit, flowers and spirits.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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After drilling a 3-pointer on the Knicks’ opening possession, Brunson missed his next six shots.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
-
Any time not spent on active duty is completed in reserve status, often the Individual Ready Reserve, meaning the physician is not drilling but remains subject to recall.—
Robert Krasner,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
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And because the state is naturally scenic with varied terrain from one area to the next, driving between these sights ends up being a journey in and of itself.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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At first, local leaders thought tuberculosis may have been driving the deaths.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The play started with Muncy hitting a ground ball up the first-base line.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
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London’s Christian Olivares, a USC pledge, extended the lead in the third inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2026
Verb
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According to Sadriu, the firearm, which was allegedly loaded with armor-piercing ammunition, was seized as evidence.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
5 June 2026
-
As Stankiewicz attempted to utter another sentence, the train’s ear-piercing horn sounded.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, domestic refiners are running their plants harder than usual to meet fuel demand and competing for barrels, sending the premiums for US crude delivered in Asia higher relative to available Middle Eastern supplies, according to traders.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
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Loose silhouettes are key when running around town; relaxed athletic shorts and an equally slouchy button-up work perfectly.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Deputies responded to a report of a driver smacking his car into a guardrail in front of The Bridge Restaurant before driving away, according to a sheriff’s office news release.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
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As the match got away from her in the second set and the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd became increasingly hostile, Andreeva fully unraveled, smacking another ball towards the roof and asking members of her box to leave.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In partnership with Underdog, a popular daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick'em betting platform, Brooks revealed a one-of-a-kind board game poking fun at SGA.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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Plenty of skilled directors can manipulate tension and fear while still poking us toward nervous laughter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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