punchier; punchiest
Synonyms of punchynext
1
a
: having punch : forceful, spirited
The collection is strong on punchy, memorable music and weak on lyrics.People Weekly
He leans abruptly forward and speaks with the punchy emphasis of an inveterate politician.Bill Bryson
b
: vivid, vibrant
These punchy colors glide on and blend easily into mere hints of color.Elle
c
: zesty
It is an elegant dish, although the sauce seems overly polite now. I remember it when the fresh coriander was an intense and punchy flavor.Caroline Bates
2
: dazed, punch-drunk
… I arrived in Paris after a thirteen-hour flight, unwashed, unshaved, punchy from jet lag, discombobulated …David Berlinski

Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce She was punchy with fatigue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His quick wit, punchy puns and unique voice came through even on the page, and NBC took notice. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026 Cinematic delivers punchier blacks and is just a little bit less saturated. Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026 This summer, reach for punchy shades like tangerine, lime, and hot pink. Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 8 June 2026 While Cheddar is punchy and bold, Gruyère is smooth and at first offers tangy-sweet fruit notes before lending rich, subtle hints of mushrooms and nuts. Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for punchy

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of punchy was in 1907

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punchy. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster