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
LaBeouf’s campaign of terror ended when he was arrested for punching several people outside the Royal Street Inn & R Bar.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of simple battery for punching people outside a New Orleans bar in February during Mardi Gras.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Doorbell video captured Friday appeared to show Hyder punching the woman, 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, in the face several times while also wrestling her to the ground.
—Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The video appeared to show Hyder pulling Moore down to the ground and punching her before a second officer pulled Moore away and handcuffed her.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
When Henderson pulled out a knife and stabbed the pit bull to defend himself, a group of four men, including the dog's owner, came over and began stabbing and punching him, KTLA reported.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After a breakup, the teen was spotted punching a tree and behaving irrationally, the declaration states.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 June 2026
Actor Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of simple battery for punching people outside a New Orleans bar in February during Mardi Gras.
—Jack Brook, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Doorbell video captured Friday appeared to show Hyder punching the woman, 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, in the face several times while also wrestling her to the ground.
—Jericka Duncan, CBS News, 2 June 2026
The video appeared to show Hyder pulling Moore down to the ground and punching her before a second officer pulled Moore away and handcuffed her.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
The group then surrounds the victim on the other side of the street and can be seen punching and kicking him.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
When Henderson pulled out a knife and stabbed the pit bull to defend himself, a group of four men, including the dog's owner, came over and began stabbing and punching him, KTLA reported.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After a breakup, the teen was spotted punching a tree and behaving irrationally, the declaration states.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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Everton’s hopes of securing a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 seemed over when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Video from the incident shows Shields slapping Baumgardner's hand to punctuate a heated exchange.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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After drilling a 3-pointer on the Knicks’ opening possession, Brunson missed his next six shots.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
-
Any time not spent on active duty is completed in reserve status, often the Individual Ready Reserve, meaning the physician is not drilling but remains subject to recall.—
Robert Krasner,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
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That’s when Angotti got going, driving a ball over the left-center-field fence.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
These reforms stripped the dominant Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of its historical control of the regional government, driving it into active opposition.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The play started with Muncy hitting a ground ball up the first-base line.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
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London’s Christian Olivares, a USC pledge, extended the lead in the third inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 June 2026
Verb
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It’s designed to deter unwanted encounters by attracting attention with a piercing siren and strobe light when the top is pulled.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
-
My laugh is loud, if not to say piercing.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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But at the State meet, officials alternated between sticking to the normal race schedule and running the 2 mile early in the meet and the mile later as had been the case in 1974 at the State meet in Bakersfield.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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The tiny house also has several optional upgrades available, including running fully off-grid.—
Adam Williams
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
Verb
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In Game 5 of the 2021 NLCS, Taylor had a game for the ages, smacking three home runs against the Atlanta Braves to help stave off elimination (for at least one more day).—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Chicago rookie Munetaka Murakami became the first player in major league history to homer in the first game of eight straight series, smacking a solo shot off Emerson Hancock (3-1) in the first.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In partnership with Underdog, a popular daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick'em betting platform, Brooks revealed a one-of-a-kind board game poking fun at SGA.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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Plenty of skilled directors can manipulate tension and fear while still poking us toward nervous laughter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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