punch-drunk
Americanadjective
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(especially of a boxer) having cerebral concussion caused by repeated blows to the head and consequently exhibiting unsteadiness of gait, hand tremors, slow muscular movement, hesitant speech, and dulled mentality.
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Informal. befuddled; dazed.
adjective
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demonstrating or characteristic of the behaviour of a person who has suffered repeated blows to the head, esp a professional boxer
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dazed; stupefied
Etymology
Origin of punch-drunk
An Americanism dating back to 1915–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now, Northwestern University neurobiologists are the first to uncover what produces this punch-drunk effect.
From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2023
When "I Think You Should Leave" was released in April of 2019, it melded seamlessly into the full-bellied feel of the times: buoyant and completely punch-drunk with positivity.
From Salon • Jun. 25, 2023
Luhrmann’s punch-drunk glitter explosion of a jukebox musical, a then-polarizing tour de force that now feels like more of a classic than ever.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2022
Chelsea must have gone into their dressing room at half time punch-drunk.
From BBC • Jan. 4, 2021
Ron still seemed slightly punch-drunk; he was shaking his head experimentally like a dog trying to rid its ears of water.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
