pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl 

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

ˈpəm-liŋ

: pound, beat

Synonyms of pummel

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

Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

The question of enforcement came up in January 2025, when Louisville was pummeled by multiple snowstorms that dumped several inches of snow. —Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025

His analysis of the situation convinced him that North Vietnam, a mostly rural society, could not be pummeled into submission by an air campaign. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

The historic, late-September storm pummeled Western North Carolina leaving a wake of devastation. —Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025

There are record-breaking river water levels across Washington state as a strong atmospheric river pummeled the Pacific Northwest with extreme rainfall. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 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