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
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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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of punch
Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Given Hughes’ body of work as technical director at Bournemouth, where shrewd recruitment had enabled them to consistently punch above their weight, Edwards was surprised that the Scotsman hadn’t previously been headhunted.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Eric Andersson, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
This portable size packs a punch: at less than one pound and around four inches, the light can shine up to 500 feet.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punch 
Verb
Virgil is also seen in the video, shared by Fox LA, trying to punch a door while a crew member tries to speak with him.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Given Hughes’ body of work as technical director at Bournemouth, where shrewd recruitment had enabled them to consistently punch above their weight, Edwards was surprised that the Scotsman hadn’t previously been headhunted.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
Nikki Glaser knows her punchlines can, well, pack a punch.
—Eric Andersson, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
This portable size packs a punch: at less than one pound and around four inches, the light can shine up to 500 feet.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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The game was so in control that Jackson headed into the locker room early in the fourth quarter, slapping fives with Ravens fans on his way in.Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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His comments also mark the latest — and likely not the last — threat to slap tariffs on some of the U.S.’s biggest trade partners.William Gavin, Quartz, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Military reservists drilling after December 20 will not receive pay for those drills, and federal civilians that are required to work during a shutdown will not be paid either.Brian Bennett, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
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Then a Canadian company called Faraday started buying property in the valley, seeking federal permits to drill in the Galiuros, a prospect called Copper Creek.Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The offensive has caused widespread destruction and hunger and driven around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes.Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Dec. 2024
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Visitors can camp, hike, look for birds (including Montezuma quail) from one of the best bird blinds in the state, or drive up the 5-mile scenic Skyline Drive to a rock overlook at the top.Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Look for the alcohol content — lower proof whiskeys can be easier for newcomers while higher proof versions can smack you in the face a bit harder.Paul Feinstein, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
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The old chief attempted to do a special review of Bitcoin miners but got smacked down by a federal court.Brady Dale, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In art and politics equally, 2024 has been—to me, at least—a swerving journey between high peaks and low depths, blind confusions and piercing revelations, the crooked and the straight.Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024
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The wire runs along the catalyst layer, then pierces the ePTFE membrane to connect to the current collector in the back of the electrode.IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Hoosier cabinet made the kitchen easier to navigate and more accessible to middle-class housewives in particular who had largely depended on housekeepers to run their kitchens.Michelle Mastro, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024
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Survivors say abandonment creates scars that run deeper and take longer to heal than physical damage.Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, some parts of China’s economy have shown signs of a recovery, with manufacturing activity expanding for two months in a row and hitting a five-month high in November.Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024
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But the Expos won only 52 games that season, and Sutherland hit a mere .239 with three home runs and a .289 on-base percentage in 141 games.Newsweek, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
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In a video Bunnie XO posted to Instagram on Christmas Day, the couple playfully pokes fun at Bunnie XO’s seeming lack of baking skills.Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near punch
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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