as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummel
Philosophy, too, is pummelled into profitability.
—
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Two-year gilts – the part of the market most sensitive to interest-rate moves – were also pummelled.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Mar. 2026
Thousands of Shahed drones have pummeled the Persian Gulf this month, hitting hotels, airports, seaports, desalination plants, and energy infrastructure, and deepening the worst oil-price shock in modern history.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Judge pummeled a 93 mph fastball on the inner part of the zone 404 feet just fair of the left-field foul pole for a two-run homer.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Two-year gilts – the part of the market most sensitive to interest-rate moves – were also pummelled.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Mar. 2026
Thousands of Shahed drones have pummeled the Persian Gulf this month, hitting hotels, airports, seaports, desalination plants, and energy infrastructure, and deepening the worst oil-price shock in modern history.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Judge pummeled a 93 mph fastball on the inner part of the zone 404 feet just fair of the left-field foul pole for a two-run homer.
—Shayna Rubin, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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Both have walked away from battles licking their wounds.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Five caribou stood licking at the stain.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Senior Assistant County Attorney Bryan Schmid argued in court filings that Scott failed to show the law is unconstitutional and suggested that Scott could create his website and post his videos with redactions to hide the personal information in the clips.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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Check and uncheck the boxes next each candidate to show/hide their responses.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The school had also employed about two dozen teachers and administrative staff, many of whom were young graduates in their 20s now without an income – at a time when their nation’s already struggling economy has been further pounded by war.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His snapper and one-timer are borderline elite and can cleanly beat goalies from anywhere in the offensive zone (the puck really rattles off his blade).—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Swedish winger snapped a shot from the high slot that beat Dostal glove-side for his team-leading 73rd point.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Suarez lashed seven shots towards goal on his debut against Casa Pia, going closest after a stomping run in-behind the defence and a sharp shot into the side netting.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Spencer Pratt lashed out at the Los Angeles Times and a rival mayoral candidate, accusing a reporter of harassing his family and trying to expose where his children live as his campaign gains traction in the polls.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Children too short to see the stage stood on their tip-toes to watch Kevin Reyes, the actor who played the part of Jesus, being whipped.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The famously-shy sophomore obliged, several of her teammates whipping out their phones to record the big moment.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pok rounded his building's corner, head down, embarrassment pounding at his ears and rain pelting the nape of his neck.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Not so much because Paul puts on-again, off-again partner Dakota Mortensen into a headlock and then pelts him with metal bar stools — sadly, this is a scene that would not be out of place on many reality shows — but because a small child is in the room.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The edge held until the seventh, when Worchester slapped four runs on the board in their final turn at-bat to snatch a sudden triumph.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
6 Apr. 2026
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Delhi skipper Axar Patel got the breakthrough when Sharma slapped him to cover and Nitish Rana took a tough chance above his head in the 10th over.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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