sucker punching

verb

present participle of sucker punch
as in knocking down

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucker punching
  1. knocking down
  2. pushing
  3. dumping
  4. stabbing
  5. kicking
  6. slashing
  7. flailing
  8. switching
Verb
  • The interceptors are among the few defensive weapons capable of knocking down a ballistic missile, and Zelensky has been vocal about his constant struggle to obtain more stocks.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As a nation, the United States is moving toward knocking down longstanding walls separating religion and government, often ruling in favor of expanding the rights of religious groups.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of knocking down
Verb
  • Thank you to all the Filipino artists who remain passionate and tireless in pushing the boundaries of where Filipino music can be taken globally.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At its 2026 national summit, the book-ban-pushing, DEI-opposing, trans-fearing Moms of Liberty group unveiled a new AI tool designed to monitor school board agendas across more than 13,000 school districts nationwide.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of pushing
Verb
  • Analysts are perking up about CoreWeave, even though investors are dumping shares and interest rates are rising in the economy.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Standing water and dumping rodents put a country club restaurant in timeout after an inspection Friday.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dumping
Verb
  • On April 21, 2023, Garr was walking up Bridge Street in Drexel Hill when police said Weh brutally attacked him, stabbing and slashing the 15-year-old 11 times.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The 40-foot homemade boat was overloaded with 64 people, who panicked and jumped overboard after De La Rosa began stabbing people, a Homeland Security Investigations criminal complaint states.
    — David Goodhue October 12, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stabbing
Verb
  • Sirianni stood by his decision on that sequence but regretted kicking the ball in play to Ameer Abdullah on the ensuing kickoff, after Abdullah’s 53-yard return in seven seconds set up Jacksonville’s game-winning kick.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Continue reading … AIRPLANE CHAOS — Selma Blair accused of kicking nurse in chest hours after plane arrest.
    — , FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of kicking
Verb
  • The city of Hollywood hosted a public meeting to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Amendment 3, a ballot proposal aimed at drastically slashing property taxes.
    — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • McAvoy missed the first six games of the season as punishment for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson late in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs last season when the Bruins got eliminated.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of slashing
Verb
  • Seventh inning —That was an at-bat from the last season version of Pages, flailing at a pitch way out of the zone.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The second-best moment came in Ireland to start this season, when UNC held on to beat what now looks like a flailing TCU team in a rematch.
    — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of flailing
Verb
  • Their teammate had begun the season competing in boys’ races before switching to girls’ competition.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of switching
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.

Browse Nearby Words

sucker punches
sucker punching
suckers
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Cite this Entry

“Sucker punching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucker%20punching. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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