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

Linen and mohair floor mats absorb your feet, while your entire body is gently pummeled by one of the eight massage modes. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024

The weather service says the storms should hit Central and North Texas counties by 4-5 p.m. Thursday with the worst of the events pummeling the region overnight. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024

In retaliation, Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip and at least 33,000 Palestinian people have been killed, according to various news reports. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2024

Whipping winds pummeled Augusta National during the second round of the Masters on Friday, whisking some of the game’s biggest stars up and out of the 88th edition of the major as players toiled to make it to the weekend. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

As the national army was pummeled, each region’s own special police forces were expanded, provided with heavy weapons, and turned into de facto ethnic armies. —Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024

The company’s profits have been pummeled for years by falling reimbursement rates that pharmacy-benefit managers pay the retailer. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024

The older man wrestles the younger man into a seat and stands over him, pummeling him. —Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024

By Thursday, the severe storm threat shifts further into the Southeast while storms also pummel the Ohio Valley. —Christina Maxouris, CNN, 9 Apr. 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