as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummel
One of Mamdani's biggest challenges in office so far was a series of dangerous winter storms that pummeled the NYC region this year.
—
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The kids pummel Freeman with insults and boos.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
But the Wolverines pummeled the Wildcats in Saturday’s national semifinal, and the Huskies eliminated the Blue Devils on the shot of the tournament last week.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Does the administration have the time and money to pummel ad nauseum?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The kids pummel Freeman with insults and boos.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
But the Wolverines pummeled the Wildcats in Saturday’s national semifinal, and the Huskies eliminated the Blue Devils on the shot of the tournament last week.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Does the administration have the time and money to pummel ad nauseum?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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Your table will be licking their fingers.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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When a boy had licked her neck at a party during the first week of college, a stranger!—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Neither made any attempt to hide their contempt for the other from the media or the public.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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Unlike other bands who have used a hiatus as an excuse to hide acrimony, James says the members went their separate ways with zero animosity.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Workers and technicians are hammering away in preparation for the return of Blue Man Group to Orlando, right down to the placement and pounding of PVC pipes, one of the ensemble’s distinctive musical instruments.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
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Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4 on Friday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The third ended with the Hornets’ Coby White beating the buzzer for an 89-83 Charlotte lead entering the fourth.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
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Xander Bogaerts had three hits and three RBIs, and Mason Miller pitched a perfect ninth inning for the San Diego Padres, who beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win and ninth in 10 games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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But the president on social media yesterday lashed out against Mamdani and the second home surcharge, which Mamdani has claimed as a victory in his quest to raise taxes on the rich.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Johnson whipped out his phone and shared a photo of Maivia with the audience, who applauded at the likeness.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 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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Vince tried to get Shane to slap her in a scene, but Shane refused.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Tyler Mikorski was about to board a flight to go on vacation with his girlfriend and her family on March 1 when police slapped cuffs on him.—
Jason Abbruzzese,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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