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
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
The Texas high school soccer UIL state semifinals are here, and several Fort Worth-area teams are looking to punch their tickets to a state championship.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Laos’ Tam Mak Hoong is similar to Som Tum but often packs a spicier punch.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The video shows one adult falling to the ground, with a woman jumping on top of that individual and repeatedly punching him.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
The Texas high school soccer UIL state semifinals are here, and several Fort Worth-area teams are looking to punch their tickets to a state championship.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
But a recent spike in gas prices may deliver a one-two punch to customers this spring, bringing home the longer-term impact of the rate increase that the utility downplayed when the gas costs were lower.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Laos’ Tam Mak Hoong is similar to Som Tum but often packs a spicier punch.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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Miss: The Ring General World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was interrupted by Jey Uso, who came through the crowd to confront him in the ring; despite Gunther's attempts to speak, Jey slapped the microphone away and questioned Gunther about his family.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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The conversation between the Beijing administration and the EU chief takes place after Washington last Wednesday slapped China and the EU with reciprocal tariffs of 34% and 20%, respectively.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,John Melloy,Ruxandra Iordache,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For the study, the researchers drilled two-gram samples out of the inner walls of two vessel fragments excavated by Schliemann.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
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The rover drilled the Cumberland sample from an area within a crater called Yellowknife Bay, which resembled an ancient lake bed.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Tate Beran drove in a pair of runs, while Ryan Kastor picked up his second save with two scoreless innings of relief.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Sprinkle salt and pepper on and toss until the spears are lightly coated in oil. Spread them out in a single layer on the pan. Bake just until the base of a stalk is easily pierced.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Bake just until the base of a stalk is easily pierced.—
Tribune News Service,
Denver Post,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His parents, who tell THR their son is taking the abrupt introduction to fame in stride, perch nearby, ready to run him home after the shoot.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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Drivers including Ken Miles, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Bob Bondurant, and Carroll Shelby have also run the course.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the Season 5 finale, June was deliberately hit and run over by a car bearing the Gilead symbol.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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Denzel Aberdeen hit the second of two free throws after Houston fouled, giving the Cougars one last chance to win or tie the game with 19 seconds to go.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Carrick’s penalty proved costly, as neither Trocheck nor Braden Schneider could muscle Point away from poking a puck past Shesterkin’s pad.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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Hector had been poking fun at Lisa’s special interest: Taylor Swift.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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