punching

verb

present participle of punch
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
3
as in driving
to urge, push, or force onward cowboys punching cattle

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 punching Alaves' Ángel Pérez was reprimanded by coach Quique Sánchez Flores after being substituted and punching the bench several times. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 According to court documents, the phone contained videos of Ayres assaulting Dunn repeatedly, at one point punching her in the face. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026 Speaking to reporters before heading out on a campaign bus tour in Maine, Collins was asked about recent reports of a 1988 incident in which Jackson faced misdemeanor charges for punching an unnamed man. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026 MASSive congratulations to Bridgewater Joe Lazaro LL on punching their ticket to the Little League Baseball World Series, presented by @TMobile! — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Police responded to the scene after Landsman called to report Chrisley punching him. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Shapiro and Owens have traded increasingly nasty barbs in recent months, with Shapiro attacking Owens over the conspiracy theories she’s promoted about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and Owens likewise punching back. — Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Background on the case On May 30, Shelby Police Officer Karson Hyder was captured repeatedly punching 34-year-old Cherie Moore during an arrest. — Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026 Salgado is accused of approaching the man, taunting him to start a fight and punching him in the face, police said. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punching
  1. slapping
  2. drilling
  3. driving
  4. hitting
  5. piercing
  6. running
  7. smacking
  8. poking
Verb
  • Lionel Messi was fined by MLS for lightly slapping Union attacker Quinn Sullivan.
    — Matt Piper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Universities are not just slapping corporate logos on uniforms and facilities but building entertainment districts that can be lucrative far beyond game days.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of slapping
Verb
  • Mapping minerals before drilling The Colorado demonstration is also tied to a broader push to use quantum sensing for domestic mineral mapping.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Founded by former truck driver Chace Barber, the company is focusing on diesel-electric tech to power real working vehicles like log loaders, crane trucks, and drilling rigs.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of drilling
Verb
  • The duo bicker, both in person and over the phone, as their uneasy dynamic proves to be the show’s driving force yet again.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And with the war in Iran already driving up energy and transportation costs, businesses have less room to absorb another hit.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Duran started the year hitting third and now bats seventh or eighth, and his hold on everyday playing time might have been saved by Masataka Yoshida’s injury — at least until Roman Anthony’s return.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Digging for compliments Shares in mining giant BHP are trading higher in Australia, hitting a two-month high, after the company topped earnings expectations and unveiled plans to pay its highest dividend in four years.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hitting
Verb
  • Consider adding a dangly silver piercing charm to your ring fingers.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a serious, piercing look on De’Andre Kirkpatrick’s face.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of piercing
Verb
  • Mendoza saw the defense was in man and made an aggressive decision to throw to Deven Thompkins running a corner route.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But despite resigning less than six months ago, Cherfilus-McCormick is running again this year.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of running
Verb
  • Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of smacking
Verb
  • But Vicki immediately goes past Meredith Marks (disengaging) to Amanda Frances (opening her laptop and working), even as the others try to earn their paychecks by poking at her.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Milk Stage of Kernels Check the kernels on an ear by poking it with your fingernail.
    — Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of poking

Browse Nearby Words

punches out
punching
punching bag
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Cite this Entry

“Punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punching. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on punching

Nglish: Translation of punching for Spanish Speakers

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