punched up; punching up; punches up
: to give energy or forcefulness to
jokes added to punch up a speech
Examples of punch-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025
The Office’s more tasteless moments remain hysterically funny thanks to the show’s empathy: this was a series that punched up, not down.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch-up
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Noun
In the hands of the endlessly inventive comedian, the tale of a boy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and seeks out fame and fortune becomes a madcap delight complete with a zingy script, cartoonish punch-ups, collapsing sets, and a heady dose of magical realism.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Often, when shows do crossovers, the writers on one will do punch-up for their characters on the other.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
For the sartorially minded, the hotel is collaborating with three all-star stylists to punch up your wardrobe.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025
The Office’s more tasteless moments remain hysterically funny thanks to the show’s empathy: this was a series that punched up, not down.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punch-up
Cite this Entry
“Punch-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punch-up. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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