punching bag
noun
punch·ing bag ˈpən-chiŋ- 
1
: a stuffed or inflated bag usually suspended for free movement and punched for exercise or for training in boxing
2
: one who is routinely abused or defeated by another
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The bureau, which has more than 5,000 employees, has also been a punching bag for the firearms lobby and other opponents. 
Arkansas Online, 13 July 2022 The British prime minister first gained mainstream attention years ago as a punching bag for comedians on a satirical, anti-establishment panel show. Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 7 July 2022 Within an immunocompromised person, the mutation process is accelerated because the virus has extended exposure to a weakened immune system, like a boxer practicing on a punching bag before their next fight. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 30 June 2022 In the span of a few months, Disney’s status in Florida devolved from a revered institution to a political punching bag. Jim O'leary, Forbes, 24 June 2022 One of the longest-serving chancellors in recent UW-Madison history, Blank brought stability to an institution that has sometimes been used as a political punching bag and viewed as an ivory tower of elitism. Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2022 The state became a punching bag for journalists and other enthusiasts for harsh Covid policies. James Taranto, WSJ, 14 Jan. 2022 Butcher tracks down Gunpowder, who used to be Solder Boy’s sidekick and punching bag on their superhero team Payback. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 June 2022 The sheriff was about to debut an ominous short film that claimed that L.A. County’s homelessness issue is the fault of nonprofits, a favorite Gonzalez punching bag. Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 See More
Arkansas Online, 13 July 2022 The British prime minister first gained mainstream attention years ago as a punching bag for comedians on a satirical, anti-establishment panel show. Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 7 July 2022 Within an immunocompromised person, the mutation process is accelerated because the virus has extended exposure to a weakened immune system, like a boxer practicing on a punching bag before their next fight. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 30 June 2022 In the span of a few months, Disney’s status in Florida devolved from a revered institution to a political punching bag. Jim O'leary, Forbes, 24 June 2022 One of the longest-serving chancellors in recent UW-Madison history, Blank brought stability to an institution that has sometimes been used as a political punching bag and viewed as an ivory tower of elitism. Kelly Meyerhofer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2022 The state became a punching bag for journalists and other enthusiasts for harsh Covid policies. James Taranto, WSJ, 14 Jan. 2022 Butcher tracks down Gunpowder, who used to be Solder Boy’s sidekick and punching bag on their superhero team Payback. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 June 2022 The sheriff was about to debut an ominous short film that claimed that L.A. County’s homelessness issue is the fault of nonprofits, a favorite Gonzalez punching bag. Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1
punching bags
noun
as in losers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- losers
- washouts
- flops
- failures
- quitters
- underdogs
- pushovers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conquerors
- masters
- winners
- subduers
- victors
- trimmers
- beaters
- whippers
- champions
- champs
- placers
- finalists
- rulers
- top dogs
- vanquishers
- overdogs
- dominators
- subjugators
- free and easy
- free as a bird
- free association
- free astray
- free ball
- free balloon
- free bank
- Free Baptist
- free beach
- free bench
- free boring
- free capital
- free cell formation
- free central
- free chant
- free chapel
- free charge
- free church
- free churchman
- free city
- free classic
- free climber
- free coinage
- free companion
- free company