punchy

adjective

ˈpən-chē How to pronounce punchy (audio)
Definition of punchynext
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion feeling a little punchy after being up half the night with a crying baby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of punchy The humor here isn’t as punchy as the beloved 1991 film, but the power of female friendships remains a pillar of the series. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026 And goalkeeper Jordan Pickford plays with punchy fearlessness. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 July 2026 The beloved seasonal flavor perfectly balances aromatic lemon cake with a punchy raspberry puree. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 14 July 2026 Roast a whole sheet pan of root vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets), then drizzle with a punchy sauce using the leafy greens, fresh herbs, and olive oil. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for punchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punchy
  1. dazed
  2. confused
  3. bewildered
  4. distracted
  5. dizzy
  6. stunned
Adjective
  • Grutman approaches Hart’s character, who is on the ground dazed and disheveled from a wild night out.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The Jayhawks appeared dazed after falling behind 10-1 early before 3,192 enthusiastic fans.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Definition of dazed
Adjective
  • Instead, the calls were about, for example, a homeless person who fell asleep in a store, a person who seemed confused in a public park, and someone who was yelling at passersby on the street.
    — Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026
  • These are questions to raise confidence levels among United fans, rather than confused eyebrows.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of confused
Adjective
  • In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
  • Away from the bewildered rancher calling out in surprise, away from the Appaloosa.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
Definition of bewildered
Adjective
  • For a moment, the bison becomes distracted and takes its anger out on a small sapling.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026
  • Trump has pioneered a style of communication that exploits our distracted, disputatious age.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of distracted
Adjective
  • If someone becomes dizzy, weak, intensely thirsty, nauseated, confused or unusually tired, move them to a cooler place or go to the hospital.
    — Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Anyone who becomes dizzy or has trouble breathing while wearing a respirator should move to cleaner air and remove the mask.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of dizzy
Adjective
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Rushdie, who was about to speak on writers’ safety when he was attacked, was slashed 15 times in front of a stunned audience.
    — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of stunned

Browse Nearby Words

punch-ups
punchy
punctilious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punchy. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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