Thesaurus results for PUMMEL

pummel

verb

ˈpə-məl

Definition of pummel

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pummel Franks reached the goal line, leapt in the air, trapped the pass to his chest and got pummeled by the Jaguars linebacker in coverage — he was crushed to the point his helmet flew off in the melee. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 Now well west of Hawaii’s main islands, Lala had top sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph) on Thursday and had begun pummeling the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument — a remote area at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 It's been nearly a week since heavy rains from a likely derecho pummeled the Midwest and displaced roughly 1,000 people across Indiana. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026 Israeli forces have also pummelled Syria with hundreds of airstrikes in recent years, predominantly targeting Syrian army assets to render the facilities unusable by the new government, which is run by former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pummel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel

Verb

Owners should also watch for licking that is sudden, persistent or severe enough to cause hair loss or skin damage.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Photos like the one below show children licking massive ice blocks for a slight reprieve from the summer heat.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lick

Verb

The expansion will take players to the brand new realm of Letten — an idyllic land of rural tradition that hides a dark secret just below the surface.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to hide his own extremism and Texans will see right through it.

— Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hide

Verb

Sarajevans still remember his commands to the Serb gunmen pounding the Bosnian capital in early 1992.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Deadly landslides struck Southern and Central California, wiping out hillside homes, and powerful waves pounded the state’s shoreline.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pound

Verb

The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
A day earlier, the Buccaneers had beaten the Panthers in their final game of the regular season, only to witness Carolina claim the NFC South anyway.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

Workers lashed the broad branches together with steel cables and chains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
The fight intensified Sunday when Mark Goldfeder, head of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, lashed out at Bonta and suggested California’s top law enforcement official was doing Ruffalo’s bidding by filing the antitrust lawsuit.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of lash

Verb

If a recipe calls for 1 cup (unwhipped) whipping cream, substitute 2 cups whipped dessert topping, such as Cool Whip.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
The first drops of espresso are vigorously whipped with sugar into a thick espumita froth inside the cup, before the rest is poured in, causing the caramelly-brown foam to rise to the top.

— Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of whip

Verb

Tennessee fans once expressed a grudge toward former coach Lane Kiffin by pelting the Neyland Stadium field with debris, including a mustard bottle and a golf ball, the latter of which struck Kiffin.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Snow crews had to leap into action early Wednesday at the Kansas City Downtown Airport – Wheeler Field after thunderstorms pelted the airport and covered it taxiways with several inches of hail.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pelt

Verb

While outlining the details of Clancy's suicide attempt, Reddington slapped a quarter on the table and addressed the prosecutors in what appeared to be a direct challenge to the state.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slap

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pummel

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“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pummel

verb

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