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

Alaves' Ángel Pérez was reprimanded by coach Quique Sánchez Flores after being substituted and punching the bench several times. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

According to court documents, the phone contained videos of Ayres assaulting Dunn repeatedly, at one point punching her in the face. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026

Speaking to reporters before heading out on a campaign bus tour in Maine, Collins was asked about recent reports of a 1988 incident in which Jackson faced misdemeanor charges for punching an unnamed man. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026

MASSive congratulations to Bridgewater Joe Lazaro LL on punching their ticket to the Little League Baseball World Series, presented by @TMobile! — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Police responded to the scene after Landsman called to report Chrisley punching him. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Shapiro and Owens have traded increasingly nasty barbs in recent months, with Shapiro attacking Owens over the conspiracy theories she’s promoted about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and Owens likewise punching back. — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Background on the case On May 30, Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder was captured repeatedly punching 34-year-old Cherie Moore during an arrest. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026