突(つ)くto prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)

アンモニアの異臭(いしゅう)が鼻(はな)を突(つ)いた。

The pungent smell of ammonia hit my nose. {to prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)}

おじいちゃんが杖(つえ)を突(つ)いて歩(ある)いています。

Grandpa is walking with a cane. {to prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)}

お寺(てら)の和尚(おしょう)さんが鐘(かね)をゴーンと突(つ)きました。

The monk at the temple struck the bell with a resounding gong. {to prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)}

不意(ふい)を突(つ)かれたら慌(あわ)てふためいてしまうのももっともだ。

It's only natural to get flustered if caught off guard. {to prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)}

昔(むかし)の人類(じんるい)は槍(やり)でマンモスを突(つ)くことでマンモスを仕留(しと)めていたのだとか。

It is said that ancient humans used to hunt down mammoths by stabbing them with spears. {to prick, to stab, to poke, to prod, to push, to thrust, to nudge, to hit, to strike, to use (a cane), to prop oneself up with, to press against (the floor, etc.), to attack, to brave (the rain, etc.)}