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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of punch
Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
This fresh fruit packed, non-alcoholic punch is one that everyone can enjoy all summer long.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
The crowd counted in unison to 10, the number of times Crump said she was punched.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
—Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
The crowd, feeling the need for an offensive punch, went nuts.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
This fresh fruit packed, non-alcoholic punch is one that everyone can enjoy all summer long.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
-
Ripley slapped Jade, mid-pushup, then dumped Cargill to the outside.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Everton’s hopes of securing a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 seemed over when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
In the bottom half of the inning, Gasparino stepped up to the plate, with the bases empty this time, and drilled an opposite-field home run to take a 3-2 lead.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
-
The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
McCarthy doubled in the ninth to move Kyle Karros to third before Rumfield drove him home with a sac fly to right field for a 9-8 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The blend of plush but no-nonsense North American furnishings with opulent Ottomania creates a visually exotic yet comfort-driven aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
And yet, each is playing with desperation to make an impact — and garner more playing time — that has jolted the Red Sox to life.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Even visitors with little interest in architecture can understand the impact immediately.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Reality is a system where prosecutorial vigor often correlates with public attention.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
-
Squish the bags around with vigor and joy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
-
This makes for a significant setback but not necessarily a fatal blow to the facility.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
If a foreign object punctures the tread or sidewall, your tire can deflate slowly or quickly, depending on the puncture.—
Jason Fogelson,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
-
Deputies found the victim with at least 10 puncture wounds, the outlets reported at the time.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
In a 3-2 second-round win against La Costa Canyon, Point Loma smacked two solo homers in the bottom of the seventh.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Sooryavanshi smacked another four sixes, scoring 47 off the next 12 balls, and was one hit away from the fastest-ever IPL hundred, when he was caught at third man in the eighth over.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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