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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of punching
The actor is accused of punching the second man in the nose.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
In January 2022, Rivas was arrested for allegedly punching Hall in the face, according to police.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
Steve Rogers the supersoldier from Brooklyn is punching Hitler in the face with a mean right hook.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Later, Gerald forced his way into her room and tried to stab her with a knife before kicking and punching her, documents show.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Another was accused of punching a 65-year-old man in the head at the Damen Green Line platform.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
But in the background, financial markets keep punching above their weight.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Newhuis is accused of later returning and assaulting the manager by punching him multiple times, police said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2026
The fatal brawl was caught on video, which showed several masked people kicking and punching a man on the ground, causing widespread shock and anger in France.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
In January 2022, Rivas was arrested for allegedly punching Hall in the face, according to police.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
Steve Rogers the supersoldier from Brooklyn is punching Hitler in the face with a mean right hook.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Later, Gerald forced his way into her room and tried to stab her with a knife before kicking and punching her, documents show.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Another was accused of punching a 65-year-old man in the head at the Damen Green Line platform.
—Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
But in the background, financial markets keep punching above their weight.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Newhuis is accused of later returning and assaulting the manager by punching him multiple times, police said.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2026
The fatal brawl was caught on video, which showed several masked people kicking and punching a man on the ground, causing widespread shock and anger in France.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
-
His home run in the first got the night started for A&M, who followed it up with another run in the fourth thanks to Terrence Kiel II slapping a single past the second baseman, driving home outfield Caden Sorrell, pushing the Aggies' lead to 2-0.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But then, during the challenge, when Ozzy knocks the key off a post, Coach weasels in and grabs it even after Ozzy has been slapping his limp pole at it for the better part of an hour.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most involve drilling holes into the stump, filling them with the chemical, and then waiting.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The team has already finished the first 180 feet (55 meters) of drilling at the Mont Terri underground rock laboratory in Switzerland, a facility that has hosted nuclear waste disposal experiments for three decades.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Aiden Robbins took the most substantial swing of the night in that inning, driving a two-run, back-side home run to right field.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran has repeatedly denied targeting oil infrastructure and other civilian targets in the war, despite its drone and missile fire hitting those sites.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At the same time, Anderson recruited Burkle as the heavy hitting investor behind a counteroffer to keep the team in Sacramento that ultimately fell through after Burkle pulled out.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, when my plane’s turn came, the takeoff was as exhilarating as ever—the low rumble and rising thrum, the smooth detachment and sudden lift, and then the surge through clouds into a piercing blue sky.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Attacks on other Gulf states Qatar and Bahrain also came under attack, piercing the kingdoms’ polished image as luxurious havens in an unstable region.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The former state controller has been running for California governor longer than just about anybody in the cheek-by-jowl field.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The crowd stopped the congressional certification of Biden's victory for several hours, sent lawmakers running and vandalized the building before police regained control.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Weeks later, the congresswoman could still the fractured bones in his forearm poking up under the skin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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