sucker punch

verb

sucker punched; sucker punching; sucker punches

transitive verb

: to punch (a person) suddenly without warning and often without apparent provocation
sucker punch noun

Examples of sucker punch in a Sentence

One of them sucker punched me.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In June 2016, for instance, a Trump rally in downtown San Jose was the scene of a bloody melee of sucker punches, thrown bottles and burned MAGA hats once protesters showed up. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 3 Nov. 2024 Though the evening doesn't quite go as planned, the gang consoles each other at home, where Jess gets her revenge on Nick for the sucker punch. Nicole Briese, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 But, the Dodgers have been clearly, surprisingly staggered, after the reality check of a long afternoon, the unsettled recipients of one nasty sucker punch. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 After a sucker punch of an introduction that evokes the childhood trauma of anyone who’s seen Bambi, Neva traffics almost exclusively in the well-meaning manipulation of players’ emotional intelligence. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sucker punch 

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sucker punch was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near sucker punch

Cite this Entry

“Sucker punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sucker%20punch. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sucker punch

verb
: to punch (a person) suddenly and usually without any obvious reason
sucker punch noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sucker punch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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