1
as in slapping
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
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2
as in drilling
to make a hole or series of holes in
punch a ticket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punching
Sam Khan spent some time inside the North Texas program for a look at how the Mean Green are punching above their weight.
—
The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Three hooded, masked men jumped out, yanked him from the driver’s seat and beat him, repeatedly pistol-whipping and punching him before fleeing with the watch, according to the victim and Irvine police, who took a report.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
But Vrabel’s methods are working, because the Patriots are exceeding expectations and punching above their weight atop the AFC East standings.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
The man with the gray shirt was thrown on the ground with six men punching and kicking him until he was captured curling up in the fetal position.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Both times, the girl continued punching her classmate, according to the complaint.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
After punching their ticket to the Super Bowl in 2024 and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has struggled.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The student who Kamo’s son was initially trying to avoid began punching him.
—Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Graham, whose small portfolio is known for punching above its weight, has persevered through previous rounds of contraction.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Three hooded, masked men jumped out, yanked him from the driver’s seat and beat him, repeatedly pistol-whipping and punching him before fleeing with the watch, according to the victim and Irvine police, who took a report.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
But Vrabel’s methods are working, because the Patriots are exceeding expectations and punching above their weight atop the AFC East standings.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
The man with the gray shirt was thrown on the ground with six men punching and kicking him until he was captured curling up in the fetal position.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Both times, the girl continued punching her classmate, according to the complaint.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
After punching their ticket to the Super Bowl in 2024 and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has struggled.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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Another victim came to court, recounting a history of domestic abuse including choking and slapping by the defendant.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Payton lit into Moss on the sideline, slapping his clipboard, after the cornerback got a bit too handsy with Giants receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The match ended after Rhodes was disqualified for drilling McIntyre with his championship.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bandit had been found on a rural road in the middle of nowhere and would have died had his rescuer not been driving past.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While the mother-daughter duo were out in Rome in September, the Kardashians star was criticized for letting North wear a dermal piercing on her middle finger.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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The current Gators football era is reaching an ear-piercing crescendo.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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University administrators point to a new business plan and the paper's running deficit as the reasons behind their decision to cut print.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
27 Oct. 2025
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My own kids are running around the place.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two had a peculiar conversation where Hawkins said Clifton missed smacking her rear end.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
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The first of 12 projects outlined in the book is a literal slapstick, the classic vaudeville tool used to imitate the sound of smacking someone with a stick.—
Michael Roberts,
Outside,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Or use your finger, poking it about 2 inches into the soil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
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Matthew McConaughey is poking fun at himself.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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