Synonyms of punching

punching

verb

present participle of punch

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

• slapping
• hitting
• smacking
• knocking
• slamming
• banging
• clapping
• whacking
• pounding
• striking
• clipping
• swiping
• cracking
• kicking
• batting
• bashing
• tapping
• nailing
• jabbing
• shoving
• boxing
• thumping
• hammering
• pushing
• poking
• swatting
• licking
• slugging
• flicking
• stabbing
• chopping
• bobbing
• thwacking
• bludgeoning
• clobbering
• zapping
• socking
• bopping
• tagging
• rapping
• pasting
• clocking
• clouting
• smiting
• bumping
• busting
• belting
• stroking
• bonking
• walloping
• slogging
• biffing
• whaling
• beating
• pummeling
• pummelling
• slashing
• battering
• stamping
• mauling
• cuffing
• roughing
• mangling
• lashing
• hanging one on
• peppering
• pelting
• whipping
• dumping
• kneeing
• scuffing
• butting
• lambasting
• jostling
• buffeting
• prodding
• bunging
• lacing
• flailing
• drubbing
• pommelling
• bunting
• creaming
• spearing
• levelling
• switching
• clubbing
• felling
• pommeling
• sapping
• thrashing
• conking
• cudgeling
• flogging
• bowling (down or over)
• cudgelling
• decking
• braining
• leveling
• knocking down
• caning
• sledging
• sucker punching
• sledgehammering
• flooring
• skulling
• rabbit-punching
• beaning

2

as in drilling

to make a hole or series of holes in

punch a ticket

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drilling
• piercing
• poking
• puncturing
• perforating
• tapping
• holing
• riddling
• boring
• cutting
• penetrating
• slashing
• breaking
• pricking
• splitting
• broaching
• excavating
• slitting
• grooving
• gouging
• prickling
• hollowing
• rupturing
• rending
• notching
• burrowing (into)
• gashing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• filling
• sealing
• plugging
• patching

3

as in driving

to urge, push, or force onward

cowboys punching cattle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• driving
• running
• herding
• shepherding
• whipping
• pressing
• wrangling
• goading
• prodding
• pricking
• spurring
• exhorting
• hounding
• flogging
• prompting
• egging
• scourging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punching

Taddese is on the ground, bent over, face down, as a man kicks him, and the woman who was pushed, dressed in a black jumpsuit and barefoot, gets up and begins punching him. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025

Samirah, the central performer, entrances Billie—her lyrics punching over vibrating beats, her voice gritty and sultry. —Lauren Morrow september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025

Authorities haven’t revealed the subject of the argument, but say Lolohea made no attempt to assist Barber after punching him in the head. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025

Bernard played a key role in the playoff win in January by punching the ball out of tight end Mark Andrews’ hands. —Associated Press, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025

Under Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of fans counting down the play clock, a player cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving one another on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying. —Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025

But a federal judge ruled against the police agency, concluding there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial — including a neighbor's cell phone video that captured a trooper punching the man in the face and slamming him to the ground. —Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Dennis tries to hug Roman, but Roman attacks him, punching him multiple times before leaving the hotel room. —Barry Levitt, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

While the employees of Dunder Mifflin largely were just punching a clock, the Truth Teller staff enjoys their work. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025