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to punch

to punch

455 1.4
To hit someone or something quickly with a closed fist
  • verb
  • /pʌnʧ/
translation icon : dar un puñetazo
  • Oh, you know, I punched that guy in the nose.
  • to punch someone
  • to punch and kick
  • to physically punch

She reared back and punched Mike in the face.

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Examples

  • I'd been wanting to punch that royal prick since Tulsa.

  • I'm interested, and don't get too close, or I'll punch you in the face.

  • I just want to punch you in the face.

  • In war, do people sometimes punch each other in the eye?

  • But I surely would have liked to punch that guy, and would have too.

    Academic text (2009)
  • So I punched her in the mouth.

  • Then he clenched his fist and punched the air with one sharp jab.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Hoffa started charging toward Swanson and punched Swanson right in the face.

    Academic text (2009)
  • If you keep arguing with me, I might have to punch you.

  • During the fight, he punched his opponent in the stomach.

Synonyms

to hit
vsto punch
1.0

To strike someone or something with force

is the specific quick and forceful closed-fist form of striking
to strike
vsto punch
553 2.4

To hit someone or something with force

is narrower, referring specifically to a quick closed-fist hit
to slap
vsto punch
492 1.0

Hit quickly with the flat part of the hand

uses a closed-hand blow rather than an open-hand quick strike
to smack
vsto punch
164 3.5

To hit someone or something with an open hand

uses a closed fist and so differs in hand shape and method
to pop
vsto punch
  • Informal
46 3.4

To hit someone or something quickly and lightly

is a quick action but with noticeably stronger force and impact
to belt
vsto punch
  • Informal
11 6.0

To hit with a lot of force, often using the arm or an object

is limited to a quick, forceful closed-hand strike rather than objects
to hook
vsto punch
  • Specialized
11 7.1

To hit someone with a short swinging punch from the side

is a straight, quick closed-fist hit rather than a curved technique
to slug
vsto punch
  • Informal
10 4.6

To hit someone or something very hard, often with the fist

is a strong closed-fist hit but not necessarily extremely hard
to plug
vsto punch
  • NSFW
4 7.7

To hit someone or something with a quick strong blow

focuses specifically on a closed-fist, quick and forceful contact
to strike hard
vsto punch
3 3.7

Hit someone or something very hard

is the quick closed-fist form of such a sharp forceful blow
to biff
vsto punch
  • Informal
1 9.8

To hit someone or something suddenly and hard, often with your fist

is any quick, forceful closed-hand blow rather than only sudden strikes
to swack
vsto punch
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To hit someone or something hard

specifies a closed-fist quick hit rather than a vague forceful strike
to clout
vsto punch
  • Informal
1 7.4

To hit someone or something hard with the fist

is the specific quick closed-fist action rather than any hard blow
to swig
vsto punch
  • Archaic
8.6

To hit something very hard with your fist or a bat

is the same rapid force but limited to a closed-hand action

Antonyms

336 1.0

To hold someone tightly in your arms to show care

14 3.8

A gentle touch that shows affection

Idioms

To do something before someone else to get an advantage

To have more success than people expect from your size or ability

8.5

To get a sure chance to succeed, for example a job or a place on a team

To do less well than your skills or what people expect

Hit someone very hard so they are knocked out

Phrasal Verbs

6 3.9

To record when you finish work using a time clock

5 3.5

Record the time you arrive at work using a time clock or electronic system

to spike the punch
  • Offensive
3 8.0

Put alcohol into a drink like punch without telling people

to center punch
  • Specialized
7.4

To make a small dent in a surface to mark where to drill

Compounds

29 3.5

The last part of a joke that makes people laugh

12 2.6

A large deep bowl for serving drinks at parties

punch card
  • Archaic
11 7.4

A stiff card with holes that show information used by old computers

punch bag
  • Offensive
6 5.0

A person others blame or hurt repeatedly

sucker punch
  • Informal
5 7.2

An unexpected unfair punch or sudden hurtful remark without warning

4 1.8

A sweet drink made from mixed fruit juices often served at parties

A hit that makes the other fighter unable to continue, often ending the match

gut punch
  • Informal
1 8.0

A sudden strong feeling of shock and disappointment from bad news

punch-up
  • NSFW
1 7.8

A physical fight where people hit each other with fists

rabbit punch
  • Jargon
1 9.3

A short hard hit to the back of the neck that is dangerous and illegal in boxing

1 5.8

A hard punch that knocks an opponent out so they cannot continue

1 7.9

A cold alcoholic drink made with milk, sugar, and spices

punch press
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A machine that cuts and shapes metal sheets by pressing a shaped tool

A sweet cocktail made with rum, lime or lemon juice and sugar

1 8.3

A very strong punch in boxing meant to knock someone out

blanking punch
  • Specialized
9.9

A tool that cuts shapes from a flat metal sheet with a matching die

center punch
  • Specialized
7.4

A small tool with a pointed end that makes a dent to mark where to drill

A sweet party punch made with rum and brandy, mixed with tea or water and served from a bowl

1.4

A heavy bag hung up that you hit to train for boxing

punch pliers
  • Specialized
6.8

A tool like pliers that makes holes in leather or paper

punch-up
  • Jargon
7.7

A meeting where writers make a script's jokes better

How Hard

to pummel
46 6.7
to slug
  • Informal
10 4.6
to punch
455 1.4
to hit
1.0
to tap
174 1.0

Surface Forms

punch infinitive
punched past
punched past participle
punching present participle
punches third person singular

Etymology

Punch as a verb meaning 'to hit' comes from an old Latin root pungere which meant 'to prick' and is the same idea behind puncture. So to punch is like a quick, strong push or strike with your fist.