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
The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.
—
Mike Schneider, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Republicans punching above their weight Republican candidates, meanwhile, are remaining competitive despite far lower spending.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The wrong-way driver then exited the vehicle and began beating the victim, punching him in the face and head before smashing his head into the ground.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This year’s list covers the latest and greatest, including a New York icon back after an eight-year renovation, the properties redefining wellness, tiny but mighty dining rooms punching above their weight, and ships reacquainting us with beloved Caribbean islands.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
After the officer creates distance, Mays is seen punching him once, knocking him to the ground.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Mike Schneider, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Republicans punching above their weight Republican candidates, meanwhile, are remaining competitive despite far lower spending.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The wrong-way driver then exited the vehicle and began beating the victim, punching him in the face and head before smashing his head into the ground.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
This year’s list covers the latest and greatest, including a New York icon back after an eight-year renovation, the properties redefining wellness, tiny but mighty dining rooms punching above their weight, and ships reacquainting us with beloved Caribbean islands.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
After the officer creates distance, Mays is seen punching him once, knocking him to the ground.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Several people could be seen punching and kicking others as bystanders urged them to stop.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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The movie's December 2022 release was largely overshadowed by the aftermath of Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at that year's Academy Awards.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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This is simply slapping lipstick on a pig and, once again, taking no accountability.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead of drilling blindly, mission planners could target locations where ice lies closest to the surface, providing a clearer picture of its depth and distribution.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
Open the new unit and mount it on the wall by drilling holes for the screws and anchors included in the package.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For Ioane, that comes in the form of driving a defensive lineman into the ground to clear a path for his quarterback or running back.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But the judge said that Hallford made credible claims of being a victim of domestic violence and that her ex-husband, Jon Hallford, was the driving force in their relationship.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That passion to play every moment to the hilt, along with her powerful hitting stroke, that came with being a coach’s daughter.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Horner told a false story about hitting the little girl with his van and then strangling her in a panic, according to testimony of the case’s lead investigator, Texas Ranger Job Espinoza.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The shortstop broke his bat on one pitch and a shard hit teammate Steve Yeager in the on-deck circle, piercing the catcher’s throat.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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New video captured the horrifying moment a Florida police officer’s body camera stopped a bullet from piercing his chest while conducting a routine investigation last month.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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All this in an environment where politicians like Jeff Bridges (running for state treasurer who lives in the Cherry Creek school district) whine and snivel about his associates in the teachers’ union not having the funds to effectively teach our kids.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The current controller, Malia Cohen, was elected in 2022 and is running for reelection against two candidates, union leader Meghann Adams and Herb Morgan, a chief investment officer.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
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De Kock smashed eight boundaries and seven sixes and Dhir complemented his South African teammate by smacking three fours and three sixes in the century partnership.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nice little Rogen dig here that reminds me of This Is the End poking fun at The Green Hornet.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
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In response to shouts for everyone to get down, one administration official at a media table crawled under it, with just her high heels poking out.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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