1
as in to slap
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
Relevance
2
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
we're going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the poor palooka wasn't able to land a single punch on his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument
old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 punch
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
When battered and captured Russian tanks are lined up for display along a Kyiv street, Ukrainians gawk and prod (and punch) as if at a surreal car show.
—Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The play of Clemens embodies how the Twins are managing to roll with every punch thrown their way of late.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The answer so far, metaphorically speaking, is like taking a Mike Tyson punch.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
When battered and captured Russian tanks are lined up for display along a Kyiv street, Ukrainians gawk and prod (and punch) as if at a surreal car show.
—Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Noun
Charles is more like Mike Tyson: knockout punch coming at you right from the door.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The play of Clemens embodies how the Twins are managing to roll with every punch thrown their way of late.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Honda’s results come amid trade tensions with the U.S., which has slapped a 25% tariff on foreign automobile imports.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
-
Trump has made clear that his shock plans to slap a 100% tariff on film imports would not be included in a trade deal with the UK, where Pryce films Slow Horses.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
Alone at the top of the key, Brunson dribbled into a wide open three and drilled it, and the Knicks went on to win 116-113.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
-
Carman crossed over the freshman to the right, then drilled the ball home in the lower right part of the net.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from an elementary school in Maryland after hours of heavy rains driven by an atmospheric river caused major flooding in multiple eastern states.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
This clearly indicates that visibility, when supported with structure, drives retention.—
Saurabh Jain,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Lemont 22-3-1 (5) Rocco Luciano smacks two-run double to spark Lemont to 5-0 win over Lincoln-Way West. 4.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2025
-
He was considered a pioneer of hardcore wrestling, slamming opponents through tables and smacking them with chairs.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
The branch, described as having fallen approximately 50 feet, pierced the attic, roof, and dented the floor of the room.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Finally, the Liberty got to enjoy the final piece of last year’s thrilling WNBA Finals run by watching the elusive title banner rise up to the rafters before Saturday’s 92-78 season-opening win against the Las Vegas Aces.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
-
In an administration currently running the lowest early-months public opinion rating in modern history, however, Vance’s forcefulness carries long-term risk.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
That's because the bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a measure that must be approved in order to prevent a catastrophic default on the country's debt that could hit sometime in August.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
-
The Reds are hitting .267/.348/.406 with a lead, .237/.311/.405 when tied and .223/.295/.369 when behind.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
During that same April 5 episode, Weekend Update’s Colin Jost poked fun at the singer in a bit about the economy.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 May 2025
-
The contest did not last long as Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye 18 seconds into the second round.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share