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Showing results for punch up. Search instead for punch up/2.
Definitions

punch up

[puhnch-uhp] / ˈpʌntʃˌʌp /
VERB
brighten
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear up enliven illuminate light up lighten
STRONG
burnish gleam illumine intensify kindle polish
WEAK
buff up grow sunny spiff up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
complicate darken dull
WEAK
deepen depress fade upset
VERB
fortify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brace build up buttress consolidate entrench protect reinforce secure shore up step up strengthen
STRONG
bulwark embattle garrison gird prepare prop ready steel support
WEAK
charge up soup up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harm hurt injure let down let go loosen unfasten weaken
STRONG
neglect
WEAK
decrease discourage dissuade
VERB
fortify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brace build up embolden energize invigorate reinforce restore strengthen
STRONG
arouse cheer confirm enliven hearten rally refresh renew rouse stiffen stir sustain
WEAK
buck up pour it on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dishearten hurt weaken
STRONG
bore bring down calm depress discourage dull halt stop
WEAK
decrease dissuade injure
VERB
reinforce
Synonyms
STRONGEST
add to bolster boost build up buttress emphasize enlarge fortify increase shore up stress support underline
STRONG
carry energize harden hype multiply prop stiffen stroke supplement sustain toughen
WEAK
add fuel to fire back up beef up heat up lend a hand pick up pillar prop up soup up stand up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease diminish discourage hinder hurt lessen let down play down prevent reduce undermine weaken
STRONG
liquefy melt soften
WEAK
subtract take away
VERB
supplement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment build up buttress complement enhance enrich fill out fortify improve reinforce strengthen subsidize
STRONG
complete extend increase pad supply top
WEAK
add fuel to fire beef up fill up heat up jazz up step up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease discourage dissuade hurt injure let down reduce take away weaken worsen
STRONG
lose lower
WEAK
subtract

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.

A "really muscly" kangaroo "tried to drown" a man in Australia, after the two got into a punch-up.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

Though discouraged when a pitched sketch failed, his punch-up jokes successfully made it to air.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2024

McCann is an entirely different story and the explanation for his punch-up wasn’t quite as compelling.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2022

After the Game One punch-up, I sat out the rest of the series.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 4, 2019

But he has also come under fire for an apparent delay in informing JSA officials about last month’s punch-up.

From Reuters • Nov. 21, 2017

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.