punch-up

noun

Definition of punch-upnext
chiefly British
as in fisticuffs

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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-up Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other. — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025 Toward the end there’s a punch-up, with several players involved. — David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 About deluded coaches and philandering teammates and practice-field punch-ups. — Leander Schaerlaeckens june 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 Two of the pilots are multi-camera shows, which are shot in front of a live audience and can benefit from the plethora of comedy writers who live in the area and serve as punch-up writers. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026 But comics depend on feedback – punch-ups from fellow comedians and reactions from audiences – iterating jokes in the same way lean startups may innovate new products. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025 That said, the negative reputation surrounding the last lines in Jones’ thorny adaptation — a punch-up from Ellison’s original text that’s meaner and more sexist, no doubt — seems outsized. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 July 2025 Among them are Neeson as a Great Gatsby-esque type who puts Declan in the hospital after a punch-up and Cleese as a priest who also doubles as the Grim Reaper. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punch-up
  1. fistfight
  2. slugfest
  3. blows
  4. confrontation
  5. melee
  6. punch-out
  7. brawl
  8. duel
Noun
  • Later, Enola also participates in a horseback chase and violent fistfight with the female villain.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
  • Its satirical video, depicting politicians descending into an all-out fistfight, proved especially prescient during the fevered atmosphere of the 2016 election cycle.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 17 June 2026
Definition of fistfight
Noun
  • The Yankees started their slugfest in style against the Rays, as Judge’s big fly traveled 429 feet to the batter’s eye at Steinbrenner Field.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jack Westover Notes: It’s been a slow, ugly slugfest among the backup tight ends to see who can win the No. 3 job.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
Definition of slugfest
Noun
  • Hers is a voice that ought to have a lifetime’s staying power, bolstered by a lyrical and musical sensibility that provide everything her instrument needs to deliver a happy succession of knockout blows.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • Despite the blows to Eurovision’s finances and viewership from the boycott, the contest is eyeing expansion, with a spinoff Eurovision Song Contest Asia due to take place in Bangkok in November.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • Multiple replay challenges, a pivotal plate tag and a brief benches-clearing confrontation highlighted the drama as the Dodgers became the first team to 60 wins.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The prosecutor argued that Styles’ death was more than a confrontation.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • Mtula Payton didn’t cause that melee to occur.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
  • Nicolas Cage headlines through the Nick Cage Event Pass running June 25 to July 23, whose free track hands out the AN-94 assault rifle and Executioner's Duet melee weapon.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of melee
Noun
  • Most people aren’t focused on Advent calendars right now — those chocolates hidden under perforated punch-outs to celebrate each day of the season.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
  • During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters, the Patriots practiced punch-out drills directly in front of reporters.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of punch-out
Noun
  • Thirteen players, including four Australians, are ejected for their part in the brawl.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The Red Sox and Nationals turned a regular June game into the biggest baseball brawl of the season after Boston hothead Willson Contreras completely lost it.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of brawl
Noun
  • Gabriel and Haaland are key men for their countries, too; whoever shades their personal duel will have a great chance of finishing on the winning team.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
Definition of duel

Browse Nearby Words

punch-outs
punch-up
punch-ups
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Cite this Entry

“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punch-up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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