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
Additionally, the actor is accused of assaulting another man by punching him in the nose, police say.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The police statement claims that upon being released, LaBeouf struck the same man with his fists before allegedly punching another man in the nose.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
The actor is accused of punching the second man in the nose.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Kelce went on to say that the 5Gs felt like 1,400 pounds punching him into the bottom of the sled.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Martinez allegedly stole the homeowner's phone and bank card before punching him and fleeing the scene, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Another officer was videotaped pinning a driver down and punching his head into the pavement.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
The former Ohio State linebacker is reportedly still on probation stemming from a 2023 arrest for allegedly punching a female relative in the head multiple times.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The police statement claims that upon being released, LaBeouf struck the same man with his fists before allegedly punching another man in the nose.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
LaBeouf then reportedly assaulted another person — punching him in the nose.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
The actor is accused of punching the second man in the nose.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Kelce went on to say that the 5Gs felt like 1,400 pounds punching him into the bottom of the sled.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Martinez allegedly stole the homeowner's phone and bank card before punching him and fleeing the scene, police said.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
Another officer was videotaped pinning a driver down and punching his head into the pavement.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
The former Ohio State linebacker is reportedly still on probation stemming from a 2023 arrest for allegedly punching a female relative in the head multiple times.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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Even in the trailer, scenes of slapping dough, Robbie and Elordi kissing in the rain and Elordi licking a wall were telltale signs that this would be a heightened version of the actual romance depicted in the book.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both lawsuits are seeking to stop drilling plans near the Teshekpuk Lake, which was previously protected under federal regulation.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
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While the concept of finding naturally occurring stores of hydrogen underground is relatively new, Johnson said the process of drilling and producing hydrogen wells is well established science and uses the same rigs used to drill for natural gas.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thought about driving a race car.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Bench coach Jeff Pickler, third base coach Andy Gonzalez, first base coach Doug Bernier, assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco and Schaeffer all took players aside to point out the nuances of the contact play.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Create Pools of Light Harsh, piercing lights tend to feel more sterile than serene.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
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The agency points to the conduct of some protesters, who follow officers with their cars, block them in the street, curse at their faces, blow ear-piercing whistles and clamor outside their hotels at night.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That left only three crew members to keep the place running — one American and two Russians — prompting NASA to pause spacewalks and trim research.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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After the nuptials, hundreds of dyads will renew their vows as part of Love in Times Square, a long-running tradition held by the Times Square Alliance, a neighborhood nonprofit.—
Andrea Sachs,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In his defense, Barnett took the stand to say there was no murder plot and that Thomas extorted him for the money using physical violence – knocking out his teeth, injured his left shoulder, and smacking his private parts.—
Sydney Pereira,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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