a thrusting blow, esp. with the fist.

forcefulness, effectiveness, or pungency in content or appeal; power; zest

a letter to voters that needs more punch.

to give a sharp thrust or blow to, esp. with the fist.

Western U.S. and Western Canada . to drive (cattle).

to poke or prod, as with a stick.

Informal . to deliver (lines in a play, a musical passage, or the like) with vigor.

to strike or hit in operating

to punch the typewriter keys.

to put into operation with or as if with a blow

to punch a time clock.

Baseball . to hit (the ball) with a short, chopping motion rather than with a full swing

He punched a soft liner just over third base for a base hit.

to give a sharp blow to a person or thing, as with the fist

The boxer punches well.

punch away, Informal . to keep trying or working, esp. in difficult or discouraging circumstances; persevere

punching away at the same old job.

punch in,

to record one's time of arrival at work by punching a time clock.

to keyboard (information) into a computer

to punch in the inventory figures.

punch out,

to record one's time of departure from work by punching a time clock.

Slang . to beat up or knock out with the fists.

to extract (information) from a computer by the use of a keyboard

to punch out data on last week's sales.

to bail out; eject from an aircraft.

punch up,

to call up (information) on a computer by the use of a keyboard

to punch up a list of hotel reservations.

Informal . to enliven, as with fresh ideas or additional material

You'd better punch up that speech with a few jokes.

pull punches

to lessen deliberately the force of one's blows.

Informal . to act with restraint or hold back the full force or implications of something

He wasn't going to pull any punches when he warned them of what they would be up against.

roll with the punches

Informal . to cope with and survive adversity

In the business world you quickly learn to roll with the punches.

noun

idleness , lethargy , unenthusiasm

verb

close

noun

bash , belt , biff , blow , bop , box , buffet , clip , clout , cuff , dig , jab , jog , knock , lollop , nudge , one-two , plug , plunk * , poke , prod , pummel , rap , shot , slam , slap , slug , smack , smash , sock , strike , stroke , thrust , thump , wallop , bite , cogency , drive , effectiveness , force , forcefulness , impact , point , validity , validness , verve , bust , chop , smacker , spank , swat , whack , dash , starch , vigorousness , vim , vitality , enterprise , hustle , initiative , sting* , wallop*

verb

bore , cut , drill , jab , pierce , poke , puncture , stab , stamp , box , buffet , bust , cuff , smack , spank , swat , whack , bash , blow , clobber , hit , hook , perforate , prod , push , sock , strike , uppercut , vigor