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
Wash Westmoreland, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
When the school’s principal intervened, police said Cronin punched him and pushed him into a wall.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2025
The industry’s job cuts over the past couple of years—more than 30,000 roles were eliminated in 2023 and 2024—disproportionately affected narrative designers, the creative professionals who craft the story elements of the game and give a title its emotional punch.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for punch 
Verb
With that, the two guys spontaneously started dancing — punching the air, while spinning on their feet, ecstatic.
—Wash Westmoreland, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
When the school’s principal intervened, police said Cronin punched him and pushed him into a wall.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
This little Bluetooth speaker packs a very big punch.
—Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2025
The industry’s job cuts over the past couple of years—more than 30,000 roles were eliminated in 2023 and 2024—disproportionately affected narrative designers, the creative professionals who craft the story elements of the game and give a title its emotional punch.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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In 2018, after the first Trump administration slapped tariffs on various goods, Fed economists devised simulations on the appropriate path for monetary policy based on different tariff scenarios.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
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Hostility remained between the pair in the years that followed, bubbling up on instances such as in 2017, when 50 Cent threatened to slap Gotti in response to the latter's interview on The Breakfast Club.—
Chris Barilla,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Any little momentum that Team Chuck had built was taken away after Curry drilled one of his signature deep three-pointers, pulling up from the half-court line to make the 39-foot bucket.—
Homero De la Fuente,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
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Now in spring training, Keith is drilling first base with infield coach Joey Cora.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Any salary or pension benefit increases for city workers would further drive up short- and long-term costs.—
Mariana Trujillo,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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In a nine-year major league career with Boston and Chicago, Moncada hit 93 home runs, drove in 339 runs, and slashed .254/.331/.424.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The stock is getting smacked around after the bell, down 5%.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
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Musk's Controversial Gesture Musk smacked his chest and forcefully extended his right arm during a speech on January 20 during a rally after President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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And that’s not all: Ellis says there’s also an emerging trend for parents and their children of all ages piercing their bodies at the same time.—
Hannah Silverman,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2025
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But nowhere pierces my heart more than German cemeteries, where special sections are dedicated to babies who die before or shortly after birth.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Police have run into problems where driverless vehicles don’t respond to hand signals from officers directing traffic, and the city has been unable to issue tickets to the vehicles, according to a spokesperson for Austin’s Transportation and Public Works department.—
Chris Kirkham and Abhirup Roy,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Mathieson runs his poker machine and pub empire, Australian Liquor and Hospitality, in a joint venture with supermarket giant Woolworths.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the video, O'Leary wailed after the metal object hit him in the chest.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Bellinger has pulled the ball at a 45% clip throughout his career, and he’s hit flyballs 44.3% of the time.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes then use the handle end of a wooden spoon to poke holes about 1 1/2 inches apart all the way through the cake.—
Bev Barrett,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Even Belichick's former New England Patriots players poked fun at his relationship during The Roast of Tom Brady in May 2024.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near punch
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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