as in body blow
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as in to knock down
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sucker punch
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The Cowboys were down three members of an already-inept secondary in Denver, and Payton responded with an onslaught of sucker punches that never let up.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
All that changed a few months before the shooting when Jones sucker punched Branton at a bar during an argument over a girlfriend.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
As members of two California gangs poured out of a Las Vegas boxing match in September 1996, Tupac Shakur, the most famous rapper in the country at the time, sucker punched a rival.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sucker punch
Verb
Tucker had a different take, saying that Fletcher was trying to sucker punch him.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The Cowboys were down three members of an already-inept secondary in Denver, and Payton responded with an onslaught of sucker punches that never let up.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
All that changed a few months before the shooting when Jones sucker punched Branton at a bar during an argument over a girlfriend.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
As members of two California gangs poured out of a Las Vegas boxing match in September 1996, Tupac Shakur, the most famous rapper in the country at the time, sucker punched a rival.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sucker punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucker punch
Noun
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This time, the Blackhawks put up a spirited fight, but couldn’t deliver the body blow to San Jose’s chances, falling 3-2 in a free-flowing and fun showdown between two of the league’s youngest teams.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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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
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One section failed, which caused a chain reaction that knocked down all seven stories.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Horford, stricken all season with various injuries, showed up late by providing Curry with an outlet, who knocked down four fourth-quarter 3-pointers to help take a 117-115 lead with two minutes to go.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The senior blasted a shot from 20 yards out from a sharp angle to the left to the top right corner to tie the game 2-2.—
Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
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In the two years since, Tisza has completely eclipsed Hungary’s old institutional opposition—a fractured gamut ranging from the far right to the left.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the piece, the Vicar of Christ is felled not by his oppressors but rather by a random cosmic event.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 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
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While the Queen was deeply involved in breeding and racing, Anne became an accomplished equestrian in her own right, even competing in the Olympic Games in 1976.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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Leah Williamson England’s captain will always start if fit, although given the solid performances of Wubben-Moy and others, England can more easily absorb an injury at centre-back than at right-back or in midfield.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Frost Bank Center in San Antonio was decked out with the Spurs’ 1990s-era logo and colors and the fans had matching bright shirts to match.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The majority of customers on Sunday were decked out in Pistons' gear.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The season-ending reveal — Annette as the crime boss — is a big swing.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Sky could take a major swing on the trade market to kick off free agency this week.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucker%20punch. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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