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
Relevance
2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 punching
But Vrabel’s methods are working, because the Patriots are exceeding expectations and punching above their weight atop the AFC East standings.
—
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
The video, which has more than 1,000 shares, captured a woman punching another woman on a counter when a man with a gray shirt walked up to them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Both times, the girl continued punching her classmate, according to the complaint.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
Hinton was working when Vasquez began punching him, and while being attacked, Hinton produced a knife and stabbed Vazquez twice.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Busta Rhymes has countersued his former assistant who accused the rapper of punching him while at work.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
After punching their ticket to the Super Bowl in 2024 and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has struggled.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The Jaguars responded quickly, with Omagbolahan Daudu punching it in from short range.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The film, which debuted to acclaim at Cannes this past May, is a heartfelt and surprising drama about an addict named Mike, who, after punching and robbing a man who offers to help, emerges from prison on a tentative path to rehabilitation.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
The video, which has more than 1,000 shares, captured a woman punching another woman on a counter when a man with a gray shirt walked up to them.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Both times, the girl continued punching her classmate, according to the complaint.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
Hinton was working when Vasquez began punching him, and while being attacked, Hinton produced a knife and stabbed Vazquez twice.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Busta Rhymes has countersued his former assistant who accused the rapper of punching him while at work.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
After punching their ticket to the Super Bowl in 2024 and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has struggled.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The Jaguars responded quickly, with Omagbolahan Daudu punching it in from short range.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The film, which debuted to acclaim at Cannes this past May, is a heartfelt and surprising drama about an addict named Mike, who, after punching and robbing a man who offers to help, emerges from prison on a tentative path to rehabilitation.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
-
As EPs, celebrities might do anything from simply slapping their name on a poster to glad-handing for an awards campaign to getting deeply involved in production.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Violeta Santos Moura | Reuters Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of trying to weaken the global economy by slapping export controls on resources vital for technology.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Months later, multiple TikTok videos used the track in clips that went viral on the platform, drilling it into the consciousness of American youth in an awe-inspiring and perhaps deeply concerning way that TikTok videos can.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
To be sure, California would be within its power to prohibit drilling by condemning mineral estates through eminent domain and paying compensation to the owners.—
Chris Kieser,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bruce Owens, 49, of Paragould, who was driving the Hyundai, and a minor who was riding in the Jeep and not identified in the report were injured, the report says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
After the video spread on social media, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X that the arrest came as US Border Patrol was driving around conducting immigration enforcement.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Kurt's key takeaways Tesla's dream of a fully autonomous future keeps hitting speed bumps.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The album is a triumphant release that balances anger and grief and, at times, surprising joy, with Estrada’s bright, lilting soprano piercing through the veil of her pain.—
Cat Cardenas,
Rolling Stone,
13 Oct. 2025
-
While the rest of his body was a meandering ghost, his eyes were molten rage-arrows piercing the other people onstage.—
Betty Gilpin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
They’re mainly intended to handle the inference stage of running AI models — the phase after the technology is trained.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
FedEx will continue making regular deliveries, with all FedEx Ground, Freight, Trade Networks, Home Delivery, Office and Custom Critical running as usual.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first of 12 projects outlined in the book is a literal slapstick, the classic vaudeville tool used to imitate the sound of smacking someone with a stick.—
Michael Roberts,
Outside,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Really, there’s only one character onstage who commands an audience’s attention, and that’s Hines’ gum-smacking sister-in-law, who turns from antagonist to supporter.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Bad Bunny has commented little, save for an SNL monologue poking fun at the situation.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The bit kicked off by poking fun at the Senate hearing that took place earlier this week.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share