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
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.
See Examples For:
By 1996, Torres would release her first single, “No Reason to Cry,” a punchy, melodramatic dance track ghostly vocals that reassure someone of her love.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
Born from Wolf’s real frustrations in a long-term relationship, the melodramatic hit bubbles with acoustic guitar and low, vocal flip-laced mourning to amplified crescendos, replete with punchy garage-rock drumming and Wolf’s howling chorus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
“November is set to become more interesting, as we get a fresh CNB forecast, while potentially receiving punchy numbers for both November’s headline and core inflation,” they said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Reform punchy but feeling under the cosh and plenty of the others scrapping for attention too.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
I click send and try not to think about it, but I'm restless and punchy and jittery all the way to school.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
"There's a very big relationship with Ibiza. They're just a clubbing community. London is punchier, groovier. So I had to build a different set for tonight."
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
The songs blend the same ingredients the Stones have been using since the beginning — blues, rock, soul, country, gospel — but they’re tighter and punchier than on any of the band’s previous late-era LPs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2023
There is a choice of a fuel-conscious, non-turbocharged 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine or a punchier 281-horsepower turbo-four available in higher trims.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
One was slower and long-form, the other punchier, for singing after touchdowns.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 13, 2022
You can add all the vinegar you want to your egg salad, but using pickled eggs will always be brighter, punchier, and all around better..
From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2022
“GNX,” one of the rapper’s punchiest, most concise releases, is his fifth to get a nod for album of the year—though he has never taken home the trophy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 7, 2025
“Johnson is able to convey the largeness of human experience through the tiniest, punchiest sentences.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2025
In more ways than one, Bairstow is the great survivor of English cricket and there is genuine affection towards him from all areas of the game, even if he is the media's punchiest sparring partner.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2024
The three-song comeback’s punchiest song is defiantly titled “Quitter,” and doesn’t slack off at all.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 14, 2022
She nodded, then hit me with the gut punchiest of all gut punches.
From "Patina" by Jason Reynolds
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