punchy
Americanadjective
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being or appearing vigorously effective; forceful.
adjective
-
an informal word for punch-drunk
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informal incisive or forceful
a punchy article
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of punchy
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.
The show is punchy but generally upbeat about technology and the people who make it.
From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026
A Pulitzer Prize winner for “Between Riverside and Crazy,” he writes punchy dialogue and specializes in characters scraping by on the margins of New York life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Angela Rayner's speech to a group of Labour activists on Tuesday night was arch, barbed, punchy and unflinching.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
Hydrating, bright and occasionally punchy, it makes a surprisingly satisfying soda or seltzer replacement.
From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026
You know when you’ve had a really long day and you’re so punchy with tiredness that everything seems hilarious?
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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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.