punching bag

Definition of punching bagnext

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 Maybe my knee-jerk reaction just proved a key Harry & Meghan point: The Duchess of Sussex makes for an easy punching bag. Kristen Baldwin and Darren Franich, EW.com, 14 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 See All Example Sentences for punching bag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching bag
Noun
  • Many people envision salary discussions as adversarial encounters with winners and losers.
    Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Picking winners and losers, heroes and villains, pathways to success and failure, generates excitement for an event and manufactures a sense of urgency for maximal viewing pleasure.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • If, on the other hand, the movie flops, Jeff Bezos better start looking into $400 million airliners.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
  • While Boone did as many as 30 flips during the ad shoot, says Jones, Stiller’s dangerous flops were really the work of stunt personnel, one of whom fell onto a foam drum kit that was constructed with the use of a 3-D printer.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Expectations going up after two straight Playoff washouts.
    Jason Kirk, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
  • In optimal conditions, most vehicles can make it, but high clearance is strongly recommended—especially in winter and after storms, when washouts, flooding, or snow accumulation are possible.
    Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Now the Dolphins were being called quitters and tankers -- players who had given up on their coaches, their season and themselves.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
  • But Salah, who travelled several hours a day just to reach training as a youngster, is no quitter.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Punching bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching%20bag. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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