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
The former Ohio State linebacker is reportedly still on probation stemming from a 2023 arrest for allegedly punching a female relative in the head multiple times.
—
Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The former Ohio State linebacker is reportedly still on probation stemming from a 2023 arrest for allegedly punching a female relative in the head multiple times.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Boston Police arrested a man, whose identity is redacted in the police report the Herald received, for allegedly punching a female House of Blues employee in the face.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
In January, Link was accused of entering another inmate’s jail cell and punching her in the face.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Callum DeQuevedo struggled for seven months with severe involuntary tics, punching himself and yelling, before anyone knew why this was happening.
—Jenna Deangelis, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The hour markers were created by punching a plate of metal from behind with the outline of the numerals so they are raised on the dial.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
For about 17 years, McDonald-Foster ran her Crave Cafe out of a small, beige-yellow house barely punching 1,000 square feet and without a dishwasher.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
In a 2021 study published in Ecology, marine biologists documented the first evidence of octopuses punching fish during these cooperative hunts.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
The former Ohio State linebacker is reportedly still on probation stemming from a 2023 arrest for allegedly punching a female relative in the head multiple times.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Boston Police arrested a man, whose identity is redacted in the police report the Herald received, for allegedly punching a female House of Blues employee in the face.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
In January, Link was accused of entering another inmate’s jail cell and punching her in the face.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Callum DeQuevedo struggled for seven months with severe involuntary tics, punching himself and yelling, before anyone knew why this was happening.
—Jenna Deangelis, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
The hour markers were created by punching a plate of metal from behind with the outline of the numerals so they are raised on the dial.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
For about 17 years, McDonald-Foster ran her Crave Cafe out of a small, beige-yellow house barely punching 1,000 square feet and without a dishwasher.
—Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Jan. 2026
In a 2021 study published in Ecology, marine biologists documented the first evidence of octopuses punching fish during these cooperative hunts.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
Verb
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Sometimes the figure tries and fails to stand up, slapping itself with floppy, almost boneless limbs.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Part of the answer seems to be more brands willing to make early commitments that actually matter (and not just slapping logos on things) but investing in the media infrastructure that lets fans watch and follow women’s sports in the first place.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hurley and his staff had been drilling the team on its areas of weakness as the close calls kept coming.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
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Miles came out aggressive, scoring 11 of TCU’s 19 points in the first quarter, including drilling a 3-pointer.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thought about driving a race car.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, bitcoin has dropped 50% since hitting a record high above $126,000 in October.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even better, Liu does it all while flaunting her signature bleached halo-dye hairstyle and smiley piercing.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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Her diamond dermal piercing was the perfect finishing touch for the emo girl-lite moment.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That left only three crew members to keep the place running — one American and two Russians — prompting NASA to pause spacewalks and trim research.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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After the nuptials, hundreds of dyads will renew their vows as part of Love in Times Square, a long-running tradition held by the Times Square Alliance, a neighborhood nonprofit.—
Andrea Sachs,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shepard attached the head of a 6-iron golf club to his sample collecting tool and was recorded smacking a couple golf balls across the lunar landscape.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In his defense, Barnett took the stand to say there was no murder plot and that Thomas extorted him for the money using physical violence – knocking out his teeth, injured his left shoulder, and smacking his private parts.—
Sydney Pereira,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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