punching bag

noun

Definition of punching bagnext
as in loser

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punching bag Netflix has been a favourite punching bag for many in the French industry who blame declining box office on the rise of online viewing. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2022 This 205-pound heavyweight punching bag is a #1 best-seller on Amazon. — John Thompson, Men's Health, 14 Nov. 2022 Social media, often a punching bag here, took more hits this year. — Rob Pegoraro, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2022 The robotic punching bag recognizes and escapes your strikes, swelling both strength and velocity of your punches. — IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2018 See All Example Sentences for punching bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching bag
  1. loser
  2. flop
  3. washout
  4. quitter
Noun
  • Memory and chip firms SanDisk, Western Digital, AMD, Seagate and Micron were the index’s biggest losers, all plunging around 10%.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Counting among the biggest losers on Election Day was Elon Musk, who is currently facing a lawsuit over allegations that the gas turbines at his Colossus data center in Memphis, Tennessee, are emitting pollution.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • Mohassib, wearing flip flops and a red jacket, did not answer any questions when police walked him out of the 62nd Precinct Saturday afternoon.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The live-action film was offbeat enough to have gained a cult following in the years since its release, but at the time, was largely regarded as a flop.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of flop
Noun
  • Forty-three completed the workplace portion, wearing both the Bared Turtur and an ASOS Design Mary Jane Lottie for four weeks each, with a two-week washout period in between.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Heavy rain has already caused problems in the county, including a washout on County Road 500 late last month.
    — Jeff Todd, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of washout
Noun
  • Some critics showed little sympathy, describing her as a quitter.
    — Scott Parrott, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
  • My cat, Boris, is not a quitter.
    — Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of quitter

Browse Nearby Words

punching
punching bag
punching bags
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Cite this Entry

“Punching bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching%20bag. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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