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

The footage also allegedly showed Bomfim punching the baby in the back of his head with a closed fist. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Moton lingered on the turf for a while, punching the turf in pain and dread, before a cart came out to transport him to the locker room. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

The Rays, known for punching above their weight in the big-spending American League East, missed the playoffs entirely the past two years. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

In his petition, McKinsey accused Zhang of punching him in the chest following his double mastectomy as part of his gender transition procedures in 2010, KTVU previously reported. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026

When substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a superb shot into the top corner, Turan ran up the touchline, punching the air in delight. — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Video of an arrest in Donora that shows an officer punching a man sitting in a chair and using a Taser on him is prompting calls for an investigation. — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

The attackers uttered homophobic remarks before repeatedly punching and kicking the victims, police said. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026

Someone who people think is abrasive and is screaming ‘Love me,’ but punching people at the same time. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026