punchy

adjective

ˈpən-chē How to pronounce punchy (audio)
punchier; punchiest
Synonyms of punchynext
1
a
: having punch : forceful, spirited
The collection is strong on punchy, memorable music and weak on lyrics.—People Weekly
He leans abruptly forward and speaks with the punchy emphasis of an inveterate politician.—Bill Bryson
b
: vivid, vibrant
These punchy colors glide on and blend easily into mere hints of color.—Elle
c
: zesty
It is an elegant dish, although the sauce seems overly polite now. I remember it when the fresh coriander was an intense and punchy flavor.—Caroline Bates
2
: dazed, punch-drunk
… I arrived in Paris after a thirteen-hour flight, unwashed, unshaved, punchy from jet lag, discombobulated …—David Berlinski

Synonyms of punchy

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Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce She was punchy with fatigue.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That sounds reasonably punchy for something weighing just under 200 lb (90 kg). — New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2026 Complete with an optional Wu-Tang soundtrack, Shaolin Flow lets players choose between traditional flipper-button controls and a more punchy approach. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 Leading the charge was Miu Miu, whose latest New Balance collaboration reconstructed the archival RC150 racing sneaker in punchy shades, from cobalt blue and neon yellow to tomato red and vibrant orange. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Try black vinegar in dipping sauces for scallion pancakes, splashed into a cabbage stir-fry or Black Vinegar Chicken With Radishes, or whisked into a punchy dressing. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punchy

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of punchy was in 1907

Rhymes for punchy

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Browse Nearby Words

punchwork
punchy
punct
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Cite this Entry

“Punchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punchy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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