as in fisticuffs
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Recent Examples of punch-up
In the hands of the endlessly inventive comedian, the tale of a boy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and seeks out fame and fortune becomes a madcap delight complete with a zingy script, cartoonish punch-ups, collapsing sets, and a heady dose of magical realism.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Of the new cast additions, only Ayoade is doing anything funny, but Xeni’s pretentious banter could have used a writerly punch-up from somebody like Richard Ayoade.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Airline crew could not run the risk of a full-scale punch-up at 30,000ft.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Writers didn’t want to do punch-ups on potentially crummy AI scripts or have their words (or ideas) cannibalized by large language models that didn’t pay them a dime.
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Reynolds apparently did punch-up on a balcony scene in the movie (though some counter those lines are also in 2016 Hoover novel).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick punch-up gig for a two-week Encores!
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved.
—David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024
Of the new cast additions, only Ayoade is doing anything funny, but Xeni’s pretentious banter could have used a writerly punch-up from somebody like Richard Ayoade.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Airline crew could not run the risk of a full-scale punch-up at 30,000ft.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Writers didn’t want to do punch-ups on potentially crummy AI scripts or have their words (or ideas) cannibalized by large language models that didn’t pay them a dime.
—Marah Eakin, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Reynolds apparently did punch-up on a balcony scene in the movie (though some counter those lines are also in 2016 Hoover novel).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick punch-up gig for a two-week Encores!
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch-up
Noun
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For his part, puppy eyes and moderate angst do not comprise a very tough veneer, despite fistfights thrown in every once in a while.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
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Check out the first trailer below for shots of Cruise clinging onto a speeding biplane, sneaking through a busy square in London, and having a fistfight on board a sinking submarine.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23 — CFP championship Notre Dame turned the Rust Belt showdown for the national title into a first-quarter slugfest, running on 13 of its 18 plays over the course of a nearly 10-minute drive, with Leonard punching it in from a yard out to take the early lead.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Notre Dame 24, Penn State 20 This game is shaping up to be a defensive slugfest, but Notre Dame's ability to control the line of scrimmage and make game-breaking plays gives them the edge.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her fights are not just physical confrontations but manifestations of the battles within her.—
Kevin Cassidy,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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The gunman later died after a confrontation and shootout with police.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This new trailer presented a better look at the gameplay, full of exciting and brutal melee combat against supernatural enemies.—
Jordan Minor,
PCMAG,
13 Feb. 2025
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Melee Weapons Perfect Block (all melee weapons): Adrenaline Surge stacks needed for maximum effect are decreased to 2 from 3.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The hard-throwing lefty dominated across 72 appearances (72.0 innings), notching a 1.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 84 punch-outs.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Nov. 2024
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Asus chose to have a punch-out camera and obscure part of the screen rather than mount it in a larger bezel, which shows how form has come ahead of function.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes,
26 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Inside the bare-knuckle legal brawl between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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Also previously sentenced for their roles in the brawl were Kelvin Servita Arocha, 20, Darwin Gomez, 30, and Yorman Reveron, 25.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Per Opta, Gonzalez ranks first for Porto for possession regains (73), tackles (34) and aerial duels contested (68) this season.—
Sam Lee,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
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This is an exercise in grandstanding compared with the Aaron Burr-Alexander Hamilton duel, which ended in Hamilton’s death.—
Stephen Humphries,
The Christian Science Monitor,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near punch-up
Cite this Entry
“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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