pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl 

pummeled also pummelled; pummeling also pummelling ˈpə-mə-liŋ 

ˈpəm-liŋ

: pound, beat

Synonyms

• lick
• hide
• pound
• beat
• lash
• whip
• pelt
• slap
• hit
• knock
• attack
• punch
• smash
• assault
• thump
• spank
• do
• slam
• batter
• maul
• bludgeon

Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dolphins got pummeled 56-19 by the Baltimore Ravens the next week, in a game where Miami lost its starting cornerback (Xavien Howard), edge rusher (Bradley Chubb) and linebacker (Andrew Van Ginkel) to season-ending injuries. —Omar Kelly updated October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens had another day to forget after being pummeled by the Houston Texans. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025

During Helene, Zuma was pummeled, with most of the business going downriver. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025

Our federal law enforcement officers face a 1000% increase in assaults against them, unprecedented online doxing of our agents and their families, and they’re being stalked and pummeled by rocks and Molotov cocktails. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pommel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pummel

• hummel

Kids Definition

pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpəm-əl 

pummeled or pummelled; pummeling or pummelling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: pound entry 3 sense 2a, beat

knead and pummel the dough

2

: to defeat decisively

pummeled the competition