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
Bleary-eyed and punch-drunk on pumpkin pie and chocolate, you’d continue watching, only to return to that same scene or line later on in your mind, struggling to articulate your thoughts and feelings about it.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2023
We were equally punch-drunk by each other’s intellect.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2023
The idea, perhaps, is to re-create the frenetic visual and informational environment to which Paik was so attuned and to which we are all groggy, punch-drunk heirs.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 29, 2021
His stance was that of a punch-drunk fighter.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
