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
Gina Barton, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The Milwaukee County Transit System's $10.9 million deficit landed a sucker punch to county officials in June and resulted in service cuts — but records show the warning signs were there months earlier.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
On June 15, 2019, Ramirez ran up behind a 26-year-old African American grocery store employee and sucker punched him, breaking the employee’s nose and damaging two of his front teeth.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
Craig responds with a sucker punch that puts Austin on the ground and brings the night to a screeching halt.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sucker punch
Verb
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
The Milwaukee County Transit System's $10.9 million deficit landed a sucker punch to county officials in June and resulted in service cuts — but records show the warning signs were there months earlier.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 12 Aug. 2025
On June 15, 2019, Ramirez ran up behind a 26-year-old African American grocery store employee and sucker punched him, breaking the employee’s nose and damaging two of his front teeth.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 21 July 2025
Craig responds with a sucker punch that puts Austin on the ground and brings the night to a screeching halt.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sucker punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucker punch
Noun
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The recent termination of federal tax credits for zero-emission vehicles delivered a body blow to end-of-the-year sales across California.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
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The first late-game body blow came when the Bears faced a third-and-20 from the Packers’ 46-yard line with 3:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, trailing by 10 points.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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With a healthy Crump and sophomore Jordan Lee rounding out a smaller lineup, the Horns will be an interesting watch, especially if Crump can knock down some 3-pointers.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
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Bane and Banchero both notched 12 points in the first half when Bane knocked down a pair of triples and Banchero got to the free-throw line early and often (5 for 6 before the break).—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Newport Harbor’s defense dropped two players from Mater Dei’s right wing — known as the 4-5 side in water polo positions — to slow center Paige Segesman’s ability to attack with a strong left turn toward the cage.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
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Earlier this month, there had been rumors of the camera in the screen shifting to the left, but this was later claimed to be a mistranslation of reports.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Antoine’s trees were eventually felled after the plantation changed hands multiple times after the death of enslaver Roman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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For every tree felled in the development of the hotel, two saplings were planted, and what's more, for every day that a guest decides to forgo housekeeping, a new tree will be planted (there's a nifty switch in your room so staff know).—
Grainne McBride,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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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Members of Congress have for months been denied their lawful right to inspect detention facilities in Minnesota, New Jersey, Florida and California.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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The underlying lawsuit, filed in December, alleges that federal officers violated the First and Fourth Amendment rights of six protesters.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was decked nine times in a wild-card playoff loss to Los Angeles while with Minnesota the year before.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Jan. 2026
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Coats are decked in fur, some all over and others just the trim.—
Renée Reardin,
InStyle,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Dave Meltzer has one of the worst track records in the history of journalism, let alone wrestling journalism, and a Meltzer report is about as accurate as a blind swing at a miniature piñata.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The Invite is Wilde’s first time in the director’s chair since Don’t Worry Darling, a big-budget original studio swing.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucker%20punch. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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