punchier; punchiest
1
a
: having punch : forceful, spirited
The collection is strong on punchy, memorable music and weak on lyrics.People Weekly
He leans abruptly forward and speaks with the punchy emphasis of an inveterate politician.Bill Bryson
b
: vivid, vibrant
These punchy colors glide on and blend easily into mere hints of color.Elle
c
: zesty
It is an elegant dish, although the sauce seems overly polite now. I remember it when the fresh coriander was an intense and punchy flavor.Caroline Bates
2
: dazed, punch-drunk
… I arrived in Paris after a thirteen-hour flight, unwashed, unshaved, punchy from jet lag, discombobulated …David Berlinski

Examples of punchy in a Sentence

shrimp in a punchy sauce She was punchy with fatigue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With two children of her own, she’s witnessed the appeal of punchy patterns and bold imagery in rugs firsthand. Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2025 Standout dishes include the punchy trout paprikash and duck breast with beetroot puree, with a lineup of vibrant hot and cold starters that make choosing just one nearly impossible. Lanee Lee, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025 The sauce is creamy and thick, so don’t forget to add the hit of lemon juice at the end to keep everything punchy and bright. Sam Sifton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Most importantly, these buds pack top-tier sound quality with clear highs and a punchy base. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punchy

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of punchy was in 1907

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Punchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punchy. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!