punch 1 of 3

Definition of punchnext

punch

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect the real punch of the speech came in its closing lines

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in puncture
a mark or small hole made by a pointed instrument old computers used to get information by reading the punches on a series of cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 punch
Verb
According to officers, the suspect attempted to take items from the victim's vehicle before punching the victim several times and attempting to strike him with a metal hand truck. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Lightly oil your hands and punch down dough, then transfer to prepared pan. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
The New York Yankees were still reeling from a nasty gut punch — a 1-0 loss to the rival Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the best-of-five American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Saturday night. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 But George’s acts of generosity, and the way that they’re returned with such an emotional punch at the end of the movie, give us a pathway to empathy—to seeing hard times for one of our neighbors as hard times for all of us. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch
Verb
  • Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Residents have reported paying excessive amounts to retrieve their vehicles from tow yards, with companies sometimes slapping extra fees on drivers who contact the police, according to council members.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers investigating the site believed by some to be Noah's Ark have just wrapped up their first full field season — drilling more than 60 feet beneath the site and collecting hundreds of samples now undergoing laboratory analysis.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Halliburton will drill a new well for the project and contribute its subsurface, drilling, and well-construction expertise.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The urgency of their push comes as major European companies undergo huge job losses — Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 workers — which experts have said could drive political upheaval.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At Duke University, meanwhile, the Neuroartifact project is using neuroscience and AI to better understand the cognitive impact of archaeological artifacts.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Executives from French media and entertainment group Mediawan Group, whose production banner portfolio includes Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, were among the people on stage getting quizzed about the impact of mega-mergers.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • To prepare to lead in these areas, CISOs must approach AI readiness with the same vigor and care as AI adoption, building the skills, judgment and development opportunities employees need to govern AI effectively.
    — Haris Pylarinos, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As Doo-sik, Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo is delivering the show’s defining performance with such vigor and charisma that Stone’s hand is, whether intentionally or not, tipped.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Merz's power inside Germany has taken a blow after a string of state election defeats last month, including losses to the anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The community suffered another blow the following month with the death of Sandy Steers, the executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit behind the livestream.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Carruthers groaned in pain and blood oozed from puncture wounds, DeLiberato said in a news briefing.
    — Catherine Sweeney, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Each egg is inserted into a developing fruit through a puncture in its skin.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Eagles also have been smacked with injuries and played without several key starters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And there’s rarely time to digest one controversy before the next one comes barreling down the road and smacks us in the mouth.
    — Bernard Goldberg, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Punch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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