1
as in to slap
to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner
after the man had punched the bartender for eighty-sixing him, bouncers stepped in and restrained him until the police could arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to drill
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in vigor
active strength of body or mind
we're going to need a candidate with real punch if voters are ever going to get excited about this election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
the poor palooka wasn't able to land a single punch on his opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument
old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
When battered and captured Russian tanks are lined up for display along a Kyiv street, Ukrainians gawk and prod (and punch) as if at a surreal car show.
—Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The play of Clemens embodies how the Twins are managing to roll with every punch thrown their way of late.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The answer so far, metaphorically speaking, is like taking a Mike Tyson punch.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
When battered and captured Russian tanks are lined up for display along a Kyiv street, Ukrainians gawk and prod (and punch) as if at a surreal car show.
—Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Noun
Charles is more like Mike Tyson: knockout punch coming at you right from the door.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
The play of Clemens embodies how the Twins are managing to roll with every punch thrown their way of late.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Five months after passing an ordinance to ban smoking in parks, the city of Fort Lauderdale finally slapped stickers on existing signs about this prohibition that do not get people’s attention.—
John Michael Pierobon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 May 2025
-
Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Alone at the top of the key, Brunson dribbled into a wide open three and drilled it, and the Knicks went on to win 116-113.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
-
Don’t let Donald drill Donald Trump is offering a massive public lands giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Derek Jeter gets his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth player in Yankees history to reach the milestone. 2008 — Chase Utley tied the National League lead with his 16th homer and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed Colorado 20-5.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
-
Much of the innovation that drives societal progress and economic productivity does not emerge from revolutions in thought, but from the subtle extension and application of existing knowledge.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
The two smacked into each other last Thursday trying to catch a Cedric Mullins fly ball, leaving both with concussions.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
-
Indiana’s first unit smacked opponents by 12.2 points per 100 possessions during the regular season, according to Cleaning the Glass.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
But Jason Schwartzman pierced his ear on The Tonight Show this past August.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
The branch, described as having fallen approximately 50 feet, pierced the attic, roof, and dented the floor of the room.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Bennet, who is now running for governor, and Tester largely ignored the protesters, who interjected throughout the event, as they were escorted out or asked by security not to disrupt.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 May 2025
-
On the first half-court possession of the game, Boston ran a handoff with Sydney Colson on the wing, springing her for a clean jumper at the free-throw line.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
The Reds are hitting .267/.348/.406 with a lead, .237/.311/.405 when tied and .223/.295/.369 when behind.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
-
That's because the bill also includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, a measure that must be approved in order to prevent a catastrophic default on the country's debt that could hit sometime in August.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Within seconds, Phaedra poked fun at newbies Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
25 May 2025
-
These two words have become an international meme, poking fun at Trump, especially since Putin ignored him.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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