punts 1 of 2

noun

plural of punt
as in canoes

Related Words

Relevance

punts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of punt
as in poles

Related 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 punts
Noun
On previous punts in the game, the Panthers had not been as aggressive in trying to block the punt, the edge rusher taking two steps before turning around to block for the returner. — Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026 Miami punts The Hurricanes once again got past midfield, but Carson Beck was then sacked on back-to-back plays to force a Miami punt. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 Five punts and a turnover on downs, coming on the fake punt. — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025 Six punts have been returned for a touchdown — a dramatic spike considering that the league saw only six touchdowns scored off punt returns all of last season. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 During his collegiate career, the speedy 5-foot-10 receiver returned two punts for touchdowns and led the ACC in punts returned and punt return yards. — Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Perich had 502 return yards last season (314 on kicks, 188 on punts) and his 60-yard punt return helped the Gophers stake a fourth-quarter comeback in a close loss to Michigan in September. — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punts
  1. canoes
  2. dinks
  3. rafts
  4. gigs
  5. skiffs
  6. dinghies
  7. yachts
  8. shells
Noun
  • The city's boathouse rents canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on a 109-acre lake, with hiking trails through the surrounding preserve.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • With spotters overlooking the fjords and communicating from land, fishers set fires in canoes to lure tuna close enough to harpoon.
    — Torben Rick, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of canoes
Noun
  • In a tournament defined by vertical runs, through balls and dinks, Olise has been France’s main conductor, synthesising their high-pressing intensity and directness with creative rhythm.
    — Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • At age 69, Lynn Ianni is a pickleball whiz, zipping from dinks to drives energetically.
    — Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dinks
Noun
  • This type of maritime migration is different from the once-common arrivals of rafts and other homemade vessels that Cubans are known to use to escape their homeland, and the overloaded freighters and sailboats used by people fleeing Haiti.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The Coast Guard had dropped inflatable rafts in the water nearby, but the teen — who was suffering from hypothermia — was too weak to swim to them.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of rafts
Noun
  • Tanaka got the job and the tour launched with two intimate San Diego gigs earlier this month.
    — Courtney Devores, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • With zero acting gigs on the horizon and weary of taking handouts from Tori, Trina returns to Hollywood Arts for a substitute teaching position.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of gigs
Noun
  • Dozens of sunken skiffs and speedboats, long written off by their owners, sat dry on the sand.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Head to Bahia Marina on 22nd Street to rent a variety of water craft including kayaks, skiffs and pontoon boats.
    — Katie Riley, Southern Living, 15 July 2026
Definition of skiffs
Noun
  • Operating as close as possible to the Libyan search-and-rescue zone, its crew deployed fast rigid inflatable boats (RHIBs) to reach overcrowded inflatable dinghies before larger rescue vessels could arrive.
    — Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 17 July 2026
  • His anti-immigration message has shifted from focusing on Polish plumbers to asylum seekers in dinghies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Definition of dinghies
Noun
  • At one point luxury travel meant being able to be anywhere and have the comforts of your office—yachts and Aman resorts offer satellite service and Wi-Fi so that you can be pampered but still take a meeting or be active in the family group chat.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Today, explorer yachts are a staple of nearly every major shipyard’s lineup.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of yachts
Noun
  • The idea of recycling lobster, crab, or shrimp shells isn’t exactly new.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Beaten about alone in that water, the shells would have killed me.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shells

Browse Nearby Words

punting
punts
puny
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punts. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All