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
Williams allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with the K-9 and multiple officers, punching the dog several times in the head and body, Caruso said.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Just like anything short of getting back to the conference finals and punching a ticket to The Big Dance will be grounds for termination for the Knicks roster as currently constructed.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Before the game, Sabres fans were in the parking lot taking turns punching a dummy with Hagel’s face taped on it.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The man responded by punching the child's father in the nose, court documents said.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Michigan made a statement on Sunday, punching its ticket to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
On Christmas Eve in 2004, Robbins was arrested after punching a security guard at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco after earlier being escorted out of the bar.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
And soon enough, teams will be punching their tickets to the Final Four.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Dandrea Johnson, the man accused of punching Reese, was arrested weeks after the incident and charged with felony battery, while Reese was still in a coma.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Just like anything short of getting back to the conference finals and punching a ticket to The Big Dance will be grounds for termination for the Knicks roster as currently constructed.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Before the game, Sabres fans were in the parking lot taking turns punching a dummy with Hagel’s face taped on it.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The man responded by punching the child's father in the nose, court documents said.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Michigan made a statement on Sunday, punching its ticket to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
On Christmas Eve in 2004, Robbins was arrested after punching a security guard at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco after earlier being escorted out of the bar.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
And soon enough, teams will be punching their tickets to the Final Four.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
Dandrea Johnson, the man accused of punching Reese, was arrested weeks after the incident and charged with felony battery, while Reese was still in a coma.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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That means going beyond slapping a flag on packaging in November.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
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Mirković took a straight line toward Wagler, slapping his hand and then bringing him in for a long hug — two freshmen raised 5,000 miles apart who came together to help the Illini reach their first Final Four since 2005.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As a result, there is a need to build geothermal plants in non-seismic, nonvolcanic areas of the world for drilling and reaching deeper geothermal resources.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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The price surge also has had political ramifications for oil production in California, with Trump invoking a Cold War-era law to force the controversial resumption of offshore drilling in the Golden State, citing the need to bolster domestic oil production for national security purposes.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense.—
April 2,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The film also was shown at a number of other festivals before hitting the awards circuit as the Palestinian entry for this year’s Academy Awards.—
Zach Dennis,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Harden, 36, with his famous, protruding beard and those dark, piercing eyes, was determined to use his star power to get his way, to bring with him a slice of comfort to a new city.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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With one quick push of a button, BLINGSTING Safety Alarms ear-piercing 125-decibel personal alarm sounds, intended to startle an aggressor and immediately alert bystanders that there’s a problem.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The field includes current legislators Manny Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton, all running for re-election.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Dodgers’ star shortstop left Saturday’s game after running the bases in the first inning and feeling pain in the right side of his lower back.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During that time, the moon will appear mostly dark, which will give the astronauts a chance to look for flashes of light from rocky objects smacking into the moon or to observe planets and other celestial bodies.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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Other incidents over the years have seen fans grab at Nikki Bella or actually smacking Alex Bliss on the backside as Nia Jax was carrying her over her shoulder from a previous segment.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Upon the umpteenth retelling, Jules (Jeff Wilbusch)—who witnessed the gory death of Rachel’s mother (Victoria Pedretti) as a little boy and therefore wholeheartedly believes in the curse—begins poking holes in the story.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2026
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While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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