sucker-punch

[ suhk-er-puhnch ]

/ ˈsʌk ərˌpʌntʃ /

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See synonyms for sucker-punch on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object) Slang.

to strike (someone) with an unexpected blow.

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OTHER WORDS FROM sucker-punch

sucker punch, noun

Words nearby sucker-punch

suck, sucker, sucker bait, suckerfish, sucker list, sucker-punch, sucket fork, suckfish, suckhole, suck in, sucking

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sucker-punch in a sentence

Like Mike Tyson says, you have a great fight plan until you come out and take the first punch.
How Will Cuba Play In Peoria?|Eleanor Clift|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Ordinarily, you see punch-counterpunch-punch,” as the attacked party tries to fend off the intruder, the former official said.
Obama Could Hit China to Punish North Korea|Shane Harris, Tim Mak|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“You might as well punch yourself in the face,” he says when asked if he read about any of the controversy.
New ‘Late Late Show’ Host James Corden Would Like to Manage Your Expectations|Kevin Fallon|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And while all he says he has spoken to still believe the interrogations saved lives, he said the report was a punch in the gut.
CIA Interrogation Chief: ‘Rectal Feeding,’ Broken Limbs Are News to Me|Kimberly Dozier|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A squad soon arrived to take him away, and I saw the sergeant punch him in the face even though he went quietly.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never had Punch secured the telling of that tale with so little opposition.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
But Punch was five; and he knew that going to England would be much nicer than a trip to Nassick.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Punch scratched himself in his sleep, and Judy moaned a little.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
At the end of the first day Punch demanded to be set down in England, which he was certain must be close at hand.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
"Yes," said Punch, lifted up in his father's arms to wave good-bye.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for sucker-punch

sucker punch

noun

a sudden surprise punch, esp from behind

a sudden unexpected defeat or setback

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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