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
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The result is a riveting piece of fiction with descriptive language that punches you right in the gut.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Laos’ Tam Mak Hoong is similar to Som Tum but often packs a spicier punch.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Verb
When his son stepped in between Balmer and his wife, Balmer allegedly shoved his son out of the way and then punched his wife with a closed fist.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The result is a riveting piece of fiction with descriptive language that punches you right in the gut.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
But a recent spike in gas prices may deliver a one-two punch to customers this spring, bringing home the longer-term impact of the rate increase that the utility downplayed when the gas costs were lower.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Laos’ Tam Mak Hoong is similar to Som Tum but often packs a spicier punch.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
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That proved a terrible bet for the Ukrainians, since the likelihood of Putin entering peace talks when tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers were occupying a piece of Mother Russia was about as low as the S&P 500 doubling in value after Trump slapped tariffs on everybody.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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The conversation between the Beijing administration and the EU chief takes place after Washington last Wednesday slapped China and the EU with reciprocal tariffs of 34% and 20%, respectively.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,John Melloy,Ruxandra Iordache,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The same rescission notice mentions another Biden-era rule that established stronger protections against drilling in the Western Arctic.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Much of the remaining top-tier inventory is already drilled.—
Dan Eberhart,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Steam generator repairs In nuclear plants such as Palisades, water heated by the reactor passes through tubes in the generators, causing water outside the tubes to boil into steam that drives the turbines to produce electricity for the grid.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
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Authorities allege, per the AP, that White drove up next to Noble and got out of his car with a gun in his hand, prompting Noble to get out of his car and run away.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pennsylvania’s drift to the right was the fourth largest of the seven, smack in the middle.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Still, the Yankees managed to make things interesting in the ninth inning, as Volpe smacked a three-run homer off Arizona lefty A.J. Puk to cut the deficit to one.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To get an empty eggshell, pierce small holes on either end of a fresh, raw egg with a needle and gently blow the contents out into a bowl.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
16 Apr. 2025
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Wolf, Puss in Boots’s big villain, had piercing red eyes; Sinners’s villain Remmick (Jack O’Connell) has piercing red eyes.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Regardless of whether it is run by M+ or the HKMOA, transparency is important to both the art community and taxpayers.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
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Drivers including Ken Miles, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Bob Bondurant, and Carroll Shelby have also run the course.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With all the injuries hitting the Nuggets, Gordon has been a go-to player for the team.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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Meanwhile, Lebanon's state news agency said Israeli artillery hit two towns in southern Lebanon and that three other towns close to the border were hit by airstrikes.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Others, of course, love the show's ability to poke fun at the cultural and political zeitgeist of the moment.—
Eric Berger,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
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The success of Deadpool & Wolverine was a bright spot in 2024, but that movie soared to success in part by poking fun at Marvel's failings.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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