punching bag

noun

punch·​ing bag ˈpən-chiŋ- How to pronounce punching bag (audio)
1
: a stuffed or inflated bag usually suspended for free movement and punched for exercise or for training in boxing
2
: one who is routinely abused or defeated by another

Examples of punching bag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The robotic punching bag recognizes and escapes your strikes, swelling both strength and velocity of your punches. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2023 True to his name, Rocky took up boxing at a young age, with Gellar proudly posting photos of him gloved-up at the punching bag in 2016. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 20 Jan. 2023 Practice your strike and aim reflexes with this standing punching bag. John Thompson, Men's Health, 14 Nov. 2022 Social media, often a punching bag here, took more hits this year. Rob Pegoraro, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for punching bag

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of punching bag was in 1886

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Cite this Entry

“Punching bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punching%20bag. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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