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
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Recent Examples of punch
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The result is a riveting piece of fiction with descriptive language that punches you right in the gut.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On the ensuing faceoff, Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier dropped the gloves with Washington’s Dylan McIlrath and landed two or three heavy punches.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
When his son stepped in between Balmer and his wife, Balmer allegedly shoved his son out of the way and then punched his wife with a closed fist.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The result is a riveting piece of fiction with descriptive language that punches you right in the gut.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Rove and Pax’s pods and Jaunty’s carts work with reusable bases, and their hits pack a serious punch.
—Emily Earlenbaugh, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
On the ensuing faceoff, Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier dropped the gloves with Washington’s Dylan McIlrath and landed two or three heavy punches.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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The two rivals slapped each other, and Charlotte missed a spear in the corner.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The Republican president slapped 10% tariffs on most goods entering the country but delayed the implementation of higher levies, pending negotiations.—
Trevor Hunnicutt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The same rescission notice mentions another Biden-era rule that established stronger protections against drilling in the Western Arctic.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Much of the remaining top-tier inventory is already drilled.—
Dan Eberhart,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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The study found a 6% annual decline, driven by poaching, habitat loss and weak law enforcement.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then with two outs, Amed Rosario smacked an RBI single.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Once the screen comes, Dort smacked his inside leg into Hayes’ outside one.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To get an empty eggshell, pierce small holes on either end of a fresh, raw egg with a needle and gently blow the contents out into a bowl.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Wolf, Puss in Boots’s big villain, had piercing red eyes; Sinners’s villain Remmick (Jack O’Connell) has piercing red eyes.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Similar ads have been run for 9/11 and other times of crises.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
With Everton’s defence dragged to the left, Brooks has space to run to the far post.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Houston threw numbers behind the ball for most of the game to avoid getting hit by the deadly counterattacks and transitions KC has been known for.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
-
New York’s forward did so by staying attached through the bazillion screens Detroit set and recovering when he was hit.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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