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
In 2023, when video circulated of a police officer punching Christina Pierre, Jennings announced meetings with community leaders to rework policy.
—
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Her past was practically punching its way out of her.
—Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Ignore that muffled screaming in the distance, that’s just the TV overlords punching air.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
He is accused of punching Manhattan Democratic District Leader William Allen as the protest descended into chaos Friday afternoon, sources told the newspaper.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Too much landing thrust could burn into the regolith, punching a destabilizing hole in its loose surface.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Three hooded, masked men jumped out, yanked him from the driver’s seat and beat him, repeatedly pistol-whipping and punching him before fleeing with the watch, according to the victim and Irvine police, who took a report.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
Her past was practically punching its way out of her.
—Natalia Paradies, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Ignore that muffled screaming in the distance, that’s just the TV overlords punching air.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
He is accused of punching Manhattan Democratic District Leader William Allen as the protest descended into chaos Friday afternoon, sources told the newspaper.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Too much landing thrust could burn into the regolith, punching a destabilizing hole in its loose surface.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Three hooded, masked men jumped out, yanked him from the driver’s seat and beat him, repeatedly pistol-whipping and punching him before fleeing with the watch, according to the victim and Irvine police, who took a report.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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At one point, Ginger is seen repeatedly slapping Jesse’s behind.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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He's also accused of slapping a nearby female passenger and trying to hit a crew member.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The deep floor of the LUNA testbed allows for sampling and drilling up to nine feet (three meters) below the surface, enabling scientists and engineers to test technologies for resource extraction, mobility and construction.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bandit had been found on a rural road in the middle of nowhere and would have died had his rescuer not been driving past.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sheriff’s officials said investigators found four firearms, including a rifle and a semiautomatic handgun without serial numbers, two additional handguns and a 30-round rifle magazine loaded with armor-piercing ammunition.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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My introductory archaeology students try their hand at experimental archaeology by attempting to replicate a prehistoric bone awl (piercing tool).—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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University administrators point to a new business plan and the paper's running deficit as the reasons behind their decision to cut print.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
27 Oct. 2025
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My own kids are running around the place.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
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The two had a peculiar conversation where Hawkins said Clifton missed smacking her rear end.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This isn’t Lovato’s first time poking fun at the meme.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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