sucker punch 1 of 2

Definition of sucker punchnext

sucker punch

2 of 2

verb

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 sucker punch
Verb
To control them and tool them apply a growth regulator called sucker punch to the suckers. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026 At the time, Connor Lockwood’s elbow injury felt like a sucker punch. Noah Poser, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026 The State of the Union speeches of his recent predecessors have also been filled, as this one was, with sucker punches thrown at the opposition party. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 Tucker had a different take, saying that Fletcher was trying to sucker punch him. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sucker punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucker punch
Noun
  • The defeat was a significant body blow to Arsenal’s aspirations, but City’s 1-0 victory over Burnley can strangely be viewed in a positive light for them.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The image of Pages making the catch, as Kiké Hernandez absorbs a body blow, is already seared into Dodgers lore.
    Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • The latest plan to revive the site includes knocking down the building and rebuilding a near-replica that will be part community gathering space and restaurant and live music venue.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Then on June 17, the slightly wider lunar crescent will appear just a couple of degrees to the left of brilliant Venus; the two brightest objects in the night sky adorning the west-northwest evening sky.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 June 2026
  • Villasanti is momentarily caught between defending Guimaraes and marking Cunha, who is free because Raphinha is occupying Paraguay’s left-back, Junior Alonso.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Piccotto effectively plays the regret of a mother forced to reckon with the loss of a child, the horror of engaging with that child again, while also grappling with her own role as a mother felled by the scourge of addiction.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • In a Western Conference Final where a few other key Colorado Avalanche players are already playing through injuries, the NHL’s leading goal scorer this season was felled trying to prevent someone else from scoring.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • Before your boss could match dance steps to the music, his opponent was already kicking him in the groin and throwing rabbit punches.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 2 July 2024
Noun
  • Pride Month kicks off nationwide with parades from major metros to small towns, blending rainbow celebration with protest roots as LGBTQ+ communities face renewed political attacks on rights and inclusion.
    Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • Swierc and the American Civil Liberties Union sued Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns last September in federal court, claiming her firing was a violation of her First Amendment rights.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The rooms Individualism abounds, with each of the 50 spacious rooms decked out in a different incarnation of contemporary English style.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • One is basically the same but finished in 18-karat white gold; the other is decked out in the same pink gold but is smaller and closer to the size of the original Reversos from the 1930s.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Korda made a grip change, a notoriously difficult element of the golf swing to adjust, before her second round.
    Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 7 June 2026
  • At the same time, the US has emerged as the world’s most important swing supplier since launching strikes on Iran in late February.
    Devika Krishna Kumar, Fortune, 6 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucker%20punch. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster