as in licking
to strike repeatedly
you should take a course in anger management—you can't go around punching out people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of punching out
The 24-year-old Sasaki threw a smooth 16 pitches, punching out the right-handed hitting Zavala, and inducing a pair of groundballs to shortstop from the lefty Kim.
—
Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
This bumps displacement from the Shiver's 896cc up to 996cc, punching out 105 hp at 9,000 rpm and 66 lb-ft of torque (95 Nm) at 6,500 rpm.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson later had the game-clinching takeaway late in the fourth quarter after the Patriots had taken the lead, punching out the ball after a catch by Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers that cornerback Marcus Jones recovered.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell tossed six scoreless innings, punching out nine and allowing just one hit.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
This bumps displacement from the Shiver's 896cc up to 996cc, punching out 105 hp at 9,000 rpm and 66 lb-ft of torque (95 Nm) at 6,500 rpm.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson later had the game-clinching takeaway late in the fourth quarter after the Patriots had taken the lead, punching out the ball after a catch by Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers that cornerback Marcus Jones recovered.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Two-time Cy Young award winner Blake Snell tossed six scoreless innings, punching out nine and allowing just one hit.
—Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching out
Verb
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
-
On April 30, 2025, the dog was reportedly licking its tail and lethargic.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Surprise, surprise, the drums started pounding for the SOB Act shortly after (though various legislative attempts have floated since Proposition 12 was passed) backed by a Midwestern congresswoman from a Big Pork state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The team became the spectacle of Havana, with Maduro’s Gran Stadium filling with the sound of pounding drums and a conga line snaking through the crowd, as baseball felt more like a festival than a game.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lender is also alleging the whiskey company is hiding a receipt of a $20 million loan, in part, from rapper and businessman Jay-Z.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
Louisville Courier Journal,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Surveillance video later showed Coogler hiding in a nearby backyard shortly after the shooting.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Harvey Prager had been on watch for hours, steering through lashing rain and 20-foot waves in the Yucatan Channel.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, a powerful atmospheric river has been lashing Hawaii with relentless rain over the past five days, causing widespread flash flooding and landslides.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Raw came back from break with all three teams taking turns working over Akira Tozawa.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Using clean hands and working over a colander, wring out the extra water and tear the soaked bread into pieces.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The high waist bunched a little when seated, but it was hardly cause for breaking focus when attempting an inversion (the whipping wind, however, was another story).—
Talia Abbas,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
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Taylor also weighed in on keeping her cool on stage when things go wrong, such as embracing her wig flying off and whipping it around her head, the proper form for double-dutching and having patience in Hollywood.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the midst of a statistically impressive season, LaMelo Ball is doing it all for the Charlotte Hornets.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
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With its stunning natural surroundings, Lake Como is an idyllic destination to explore with a dog, and the Edition makes doing so in style entirely possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Aggies received an automatic bid to the tournament after beating San Diego State in the Mountain West Conference tournament.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Sacramento improved to 4-9 in back-to-back situations 24 hours after beating the Los Angeles Clippers.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punching out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching%20out. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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