punch-out

1 of 2

noun

ˈpənch-ˌau̇t How to pronounce punch-out (audio)
Synonyms of punch-outnext
1
: fistfight
2
: strikeout

punch out

2 of 2

verb

punched out; punching out; punches out

intransitive verb

1
: to record the time of one's stopping work or departure by punching a time clock
2
: to bail out of an aircraft using an ejection seat

transitive verb

1
: to beat up
2
: strike out

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of punch-out in a Sentence

Verb you should take a course in anger management—you can't go around punching out people
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.
Noun
The hard-throwing lefty dominated across 72 appearances (72.0 innings), notching a 1.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 84 punch-outs. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024 Asus chose to have a punch-out camera and obscure part of the screen rather than mount it in a larger bezel, which shows how form has come ahead of function. — Ewan Spence, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
On a recent day, a massive stamping machine punched out at a dizzying pace the stainless steel, connector studs that will be eventually adhered to the patches placed on a patient’s body for a heart-monitoring electrocardiogram. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025 Burrow completed a short pass to tight end Tanner Hudson, who was scampering into the end zone before Dugger punched out the ball at the 2-yard line. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for punch-out

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1893, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of punch-out was in 1893

Rhymes for punch-out

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Browse Nearby Words

punch-out
punch out
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Cite this Entry

“Punch-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch-out. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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