sucker punch 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sucker punchnext
as in body blow

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sucker punch

2 of 2

verb

as in to knock down

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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
  1. body blow
  2. knock down
  3. left
  4. fell
  5. rabbit punch
  6. deck
  7. right
  8. cream
Noun
  • The deaths from the World Trade Center marked a huge body blow to Rockville Centre, which suffered more losses than many other communities in the tri-state area.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Shelton on the front foot, chasing Alcaraz around the court with body blow serves and driving strokes into the corners, getting the early break again.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of body blow
Verb
  • Harding made seven of his eight attempts to add 12 in the first half and excelled in his role as the team’s floor general as the Horned Frogs shot 53% from the field in the first half and knocked down six 3-pointers.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The agency has fashioned staging areas for heavy equipment by knocking down, uprooting and attempting to transplant select specimens of the monument’s native plants.
    — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of knock down
Noun
  • The results grow the organization's presence on Capitol Hill, bringing to Congress a bloc of lawmakers who will now look to translate their electoral success into policy wins that push the Democratic Party further to the left.
    — Elena Moore, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lawson said Amendment 3 outperformed a nationwide shift to the left, and blamed the loss on out-of-state donors contributing to the opposition.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of left
Verb
  • Collins faces Democrat Troy Jackson, a former Maine Senate leader who stepped in to the race after scandals felled nominee Graham Platner in July.
    — Justin Papp,Caleigh Keating,Garrett Downs,Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In the postwar decades, humans seized ecosystems at breakneck speed—forests were felled, prairies plowed, wetlands drained.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fell
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
Definition of rabbit punch
Verb
  • Boscono, clad in sophisticated cocktail attire, sports pieces from the Margherita and Mimosa collections, including a high jewelry set comprising a white gold necklace and earrings decked in diamonds, sapphires and opals.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Even wandering through the hotel feels festive come December, when its Beaux-Arts Grand Lobby is decked with a 15-foot Christmas tree, glowing wreaths and banisters draped in magnolia.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of deck
Noun
  • International rights groups say political prisoners in Iran are tried in secretive courts without due process.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2026
  • With House Republicans looking for a scapegoat after their midterm losses, the impeachment vote could pick up votes on the right, too.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of right
Verb
  • The sides were also spectacular and included a smattering of traditional favorites like creamed spinach and truffle mac and cheese.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Not a standalone moisturizer, but rather a step prior to your go-to cream.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of cream

Browse Nearby Words

suckering
sucker punch
sucker punched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucker%20punch. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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