pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl 

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

ˈpəm-liŋ

: pound, beat

Synonyms

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup
• work over

Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

Unprecedented utility bill hikes are pummeling overburdened New Yorkers while boosting the fortunes of corporate utilities seeking to slow down the inevitable transition to clean energy and maximize profits for its private shareholders during the final years of the fossil fuel era. —Kim Fraczek, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2024

Two years ago, Hurricane Ian pummeled trees already weakened by a virulent and incurable disease called citrus greening. —Ayurella Horn-Muller, WIRED, 3 Aug. 2024

Deadly path to the coast As airstrikes pummeled Nuseirat, Israeli ground reinforcements moved in. —Neil Collier, New York Times, 16 July 2024

Consumers have been pummeled since the pandemic by high prices and elevated interest rates. —Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pommel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

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