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.

See Examples For:

punch up

“I’m just trying to get me and my kids out of this town before it explodes,” growls Mary when Valerie presses her to punch up one of Al’s substandard scripts.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026

The Cheetahs are a compact, spirited outfit led by veteran striker Steve Mounie, but lack punch up front.

From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026

In 2016, there were allegations of a punch up between two UK Independence Party members of the European Parliament.

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2025

Small business owners are using A.I. tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and others to check grammar in emails, punch up marketing copy and research business plans.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2024

I suppose they have them rigged up so they can punch up anything they like.

From Frenzied Fiction by Leacock, Stephen

punch up

Example Sentences

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Related Words