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
Lee was arrested April 3 in the 9300 block of Cicero Avenue after punching a man at a nearby gas station, police said.
—
Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Casey sprang into action, punching the man and grabbing the weapon.
—Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Having both metals arranged in this way turns the stinger into a biological spear capable of punching through tough hides or exoskeletons of prey.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
For a city the size of Quebec, that density of recognition signals a food scene punching well above its weight, and worth building at least one big dinner reservation around.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.
—Mike Schneider, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Casey sprang into action, punching the man and grabbing the weapon.
—Ted Scouten, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026
Having both metals arranged in this way turns the stinger into a biological spear capable of punching through tough hides or exoskeletons of prey.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Those incidents involved tackling and arresting a journalist, slamming a man to the ground, spraying people with pepper spray, punching a bystander and pointing his firearm at bystanders, according to the report.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
For a city the size of Quebec, that density of recognition signals a food scene punching well above its weight, and worth building at least one big dinner reservation around.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.
—Mike Schneider, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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Among the plaintiffs, two protesters faced minor charges that were quickly dropped—each accused of impeding a federal officer for slapping the agent’s phone from their hand—while the other two were charged with no crimes at all.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
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That meant a pre-existing zero-tariff trade environment for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic was overridden, slapping new duties onto Scotch whisky and other spirits sent to America from Britain.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Brown declared, pulling a handle that started drilling the first hole of soil tests for a subway that planners estimated could be built in just three years.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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For producers, prices were high enough to turn a profit but not high enough to justify sending a bunch of drilling rigs out to boost production.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Senior Stanley Filiaga was the driving force of the Scorpions’ offense.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
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Limited supplies are leading to higher prices The memory crunch is driving downstream cost increases that are weighing on the hyperscalers.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
Verb
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For any questions, ranging from recommendations for hitting the town to extra amenities needed, the lobby desk was always readily available and seemed genuinely happy to help.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
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Valdez has received a six-game suspension and a fine for an undisclosed amount after hitting Story in the back with a 94-mph fastball with the first pitch of the at-bat, MLB announced Wednesday.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Thawing ice along a riverbank, the shallows capturing the reflection of one of the grandchildren; the burning flame of a wick disappearing into a birthday cake; the deep, dark tunnel of a fleeting set of train tracks, as piercing as the endless blue eyes of the toddler in the diptych beside it.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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This tank, more than any of its Allied counterparts, sent German designers back to the drawing board to produce the next generation of tanks that featured heavier armor and higher-velocity cannons with greater range and armor-piercing capability.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Then the Knicks coach, Mike Brown, tweaked the offense, running more of it through Towns, and the team became a juggernaut.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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People running this Daily News must live in a parallel universe.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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Here, Ibrahima Konate has the simple task of poking the ball through United’s midfield, Wirtz swaps passes with Szoboszlai, and then has a decent attempt at goal.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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