Synonyms

punching bag

American

noun

an inflated or stuffed bag, usually suspended, punched with the fists as an exercise.
Informal. a person serving as an object of abuse; scapegoat.

I told him that I wasn't going to be a punching bag for anyone.

Etymology

Origin of punching bag

First recorded in 1895–1900

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.

Behind him, some of the young athletes faced each other in the ring surrounded by cheering gymmates, while others trained on a punching bag.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

“The attack is a reminder that Powell will remain a punching bag for the president as long as he is on the Fed board,” said Ethan Harris, a former top economist at Bank of America.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

Since merging his cable programming behemoth Discovery with storied entertainment company Warner Bros. in 2022, Zaslav has often been a punching bag for Hollywood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Because horror is a genre built on excess, it’s also an easy punching bag.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2025

Four names a few different punches, demonstrating each one as he does, first against the air and then against the punching bag.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023