as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummel
The rich prospered while members of the working class got pummeled and ended up voting for Trump.
—
David Brooks, Mercury News, 31 May 2025
The world is home to gigantic storms bigger than Australia, 100-mph winds pummeling its northern reaches and a rocky moon named Io orbiting it that is notoriously riddled with lava-spewing volcanoes.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 May 2025
While Israeli war planes pummel Iranian military and nuclear sites virtually unopposed, dozens of Israelis have been killed and injured in retaliatory Iranian attacks.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Russia launches more drone strikes The casualty estimates came as Russian forces pummeled Ukraine with drones and other weapons, killing three people and injuring scores of others despite international pressure to accept a ceasefire.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pummel
David Brooks, Mercury News, 31 May 2025
The world is home to gigantic storms bigger than Australia, 100-mph winds pummeling its northern reaches and a rocky moon named Io orbiting it that is notoriously riddled with lava-spewing volcanoes.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 May 2025
While Israeli war planes pummel Iranian military and nuclear sites virtually unopposed, dozens of Israelis have been killed and injured in retaliatory Iranian attacks.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
Russia launches more drone strikes The casualty estimates came as Russian forces pummeled Ukraine with drones and other weapons, killing three people and injuring scores of others despite international pressure to accept a ceasefire.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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Two new friends spent the afternoon chatting, licking our deliciously unexpected delights and beginning a life-long bond.—
Susan Cunningham Euker,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2025
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The viral post opens with a quiet, intimate moment: the Labrador sits beside her puppy, gently licking her head.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Transparency is another issue: Pricing for procedures varies wildly and is often hidden until the bill arrives.—
Paulina Wierzbicka,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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The first iteration of Somni opened in 2018 inside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, a restaurant hidden inside of José Andrés’s Bazaar, but closed in 2020 as a pandemic casualty.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The left-hander got pounded a year ago and thumped again in his first taste of big-league action for eight runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
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Kamala Harris pounded Joe Biden over his stances on busing from the 1970s—a long-ago dispute that even became fodder for J.D. Vance in 2024.—
Andrew Yang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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With the leadership of head coach John Reese and a starting five packed with talent, the Pioneers became the team to beat in Texas.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2025
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Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat until thickened and pipeable, about 1 to 2 minutes (do not overmix).—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Forecasters said Erick was expected over the coming hours to lash Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain, strong winds and a fierce storm surge.—
Luis Alberto Cruz,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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That’s something that our character was going through a really tough moment and feeling really bad and wanting to be angry and lash out., Travis Scott’s music really carries that emotion for a lot of young kids.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
17 June 2025
Verb
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The San Diego native whipped a low cross into the box, which both Adriana Leon and Ascanio narrowly missed.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
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Chelsea took the lead on 13 minutes when Neto raced away from deep inside the Flamengo half and opened his body before whipping the ball past Agustin Rossi.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Verb
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With his next pitch, Vásquez fired it even more inside, pelting Ohtani’s right thigh with a 94 mph fastball.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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Police in riot gear attempting to disperse crowds, pelting them with tear gas, flashbangs and rubber bullets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
Verb
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These nimble vehicles are built to precise specs, and capturing racing footage from the driver's point of view isn't as simple as slapping a GoPro on and calling it a day.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
16 June 2025
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The experience was shared on Reddit, where the passenger detailed how the person seated behind him, in first class nonetheless, repeatedly tapped and slapped the person's head and hat to awaken him to help retrieve a lost earbud.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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