as in fisticuffs
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Recent Examples of punch-up
In the hands of the endlessly inventive comedian, the tale of a boy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and seeks out fame and fortune becomes a madcap delight complete with a zingy script, cartoonish punch-ups, collapsing sets, and a heady dose of magical realism.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Of the new cast additions, only Ayoade is doing anything funny, but Xeni’s pretentious banter could have used a writerly punch-up from somebody like Richard Ayoade.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Airline crew could not run the risk of a full-scale punch-up at 30,000ft.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Writers didn’t want to do punch-ups on potentially crummy AI scripts or have their words (or ideas) cannibalized by large language models that didn’t pay them a dime.
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Reynolds apparently did punch-up on a balcony scene in the movie (though some counter those lines are also in 2016 Hoover novel).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick punch-up gig for a two-week Encores!
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Of the new cast additions, only Ayoade is doing anything funny, but Xeni’s pretentious banter could have used a writerly punch-up from somebody like Richard Ayoade.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Airline crew could not run the risk of a full-scale punch-up at 30,000ft.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Writers didn’t want to do punch-ups on potentially crummy AI scripts or have their words (or ideas) cannibalized by large language models that didn’t pay them a dime.
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Reynolds apparently did punch-up on a balcony scene in the movie (though some counter those lines are also in 2016 Hoover novel).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick punch-up gig for a two-week Encores!
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch-up
Noun
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Some accounts include fistfights and even a duel challenge.—
Jeremy Duda,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
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The tension is constant, especially as Caz–known to be pretty tasty in a fistfight–remains unarmed and powerless against the monstrosities on board.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Down two of its top frontcourt players and defenders, Duke endured three straight slugfests to complete its first outright sweep of the ACC’s regular-season and tournament championships since 2006.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
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Each and every encounter between the beefy bros will only up the animosity, leading to multiple actual slugfests.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Death Takes Me appears to have been a stepping stone to a more explicitly political confrontation with violence—one that refuses resignation and demands justice.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
On February 28, the president had a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which resulted in Trump pausing military aid to Ukraine.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In the melee that ensued, Chinese miners working in other rooms rushed in to defend their countrymen.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Each crew member has different stats and proficiencies for gunnery, ship repair, melee attack, and melee defense.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Impressive set-pieces are sprinkled throughout, from a rip-roaring car chase to open the film and a later brawl between Irene and a pair of shady mechanics (Michael Manuel and Taylor Misiak).—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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Pennsylvania high school basketball game brawl seen on video A Pennsylvania high school basketball game between Uniontown and Meadville devolved into an all-out brawl in the stands and on the court, Friday, March 7.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The 26-year-old right-back covered 11.5 kilometres, had 43 sprints and 59 touches, and 70% of his duels and 100% of his one-v-one situations to help Leipzig secure a crucial 2-0 win in what remains a tight race for the Champions League spots.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Implementing that into my play, which is being more dynamic, getting into tackles more, winning more duels offensively and defensively.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-up. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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