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
• slugging
• licking
• flicking
• stabbing
• chopping
• thwacking
• bobbing
• bludgeoning
• clobbering
• socking
• zapping
• bopping
• rapping
• tagging
• pasting
• clocking
• clouting
• smiting
• busting
• bumping
• belting
• stroking
• bonking
• walloping
• slogging
• biffing
• whaling
• beating
• pummeling
• battering
• slashing
• stamping
• mauling
• cuffing
• roughing
• mangling
• lashing
• hanging one on
• peppering
• pelting
• whipping
• dumping
• kneeing
• scuffing
• butting
• lambasting
• jostling
• buffeting
• prodding
• bunging
• lacing
• flailing
• drubbing
• bunting
• creaming
• spearing
• switching
• clubbing
• felling
• pommeling
• sapping
• thrashing
• cudgeling
• flogging
• bowling (down or over)
• decking
• braining
• leveling
• knocking down
• caning
• sledging
• sucker punching
• conking
• 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

Houston will host the Kansas City Royals, owners of the fifth-worst record in baseball, and the Rangers will host the Boston Red Sox, a club on the verge of punching its own ticket to October. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The victim tackled Cunningham and started punching him, and took the gun. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

At this point, Reeger begins losing his cool and starts punching Kirk. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

After Sanchez arrived with the water, Martin attacked him, punching the officer in the face, throwing the blanket over his head and repeatedly hitting him in the head with the firearm, Gaier said. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

And if some of that entails punching a Nazi along the way, who’s complaining? — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026

Sais said the men shouted homophobic and racist slurs before punching him, knocking him to the ground and leaving him with injuries to his face and head. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest. — Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

In a video posted to Facebook by Breaking News 989, an officer can be seen standing over a woman punching her multiple times as police attempt to detain her. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026