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
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.
This revelation is a sucker punch, a damning indictment of an audience that has been rooting for Catherine's downfall. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024 The sucker punch came from a PSR cavity that left the club publicly sweating the balance sheet and measuring up their best players for market. The Athletic Staff, The Athletic, 28 July 2024 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 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 21 Dec. 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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