punchier; punchiest
1
a
: having punch : forceful, spirited
The collection is strong on punchy, memorable music and weak on lyrics.People Weekly
He leans abruptly forward and speaks with the punchy emphasis of an inveterate politician.Bill Bryson
b
: vivid, vibrant
These punchy colors glide on and blend easily into mere hints of color.Elle
c
: zesty
It is an elegant dish, although the sauce seems overly polite now. I remember it when the fresh coriander was an intense and punchy flavor.Caroline Bates
2
: dazed, punch-drunk
… I arrived in Paris after a thirteen-hour flight, unwashed, unshaved, punchy from jet lag, discombobulated …David Berlinski

Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce She was punchy with fatigue.
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.
Expect saffron-color ottomans and headboards and punchy, slightly 1970s wallpaper. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025 At the heart of her third album, there is a clear aim: to make gutsy, punchy pop perfection that establishes her maturity. Brendan Le, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 This punchy, lace-up sneaker is surprisingly super lightweight, and will take you from studio to street, in serious style. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025 This dish is served with a tangy, punchy relish made from pickles, capers, and red chiles. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punchy

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of punchy was in 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Punchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punchy. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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