as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pummel
Shohei Ohtani had five RBIs, Mookie Betts homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers pummeled the Los Angeles Angels 15-2 on Saturday night for their fourth straight win.
—
ABC News, 16 May 2026
Ukraine’s capital and other regions were pummeled overnight by hundreds of Russian drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles, the country’s air force said.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Consumers are flagging, pummeled by years of high prices and the sense that no one in power really cares.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The talks, brokered by the State Department, come as Israeli airstrikes have continued pummeling Lebanon despite a ceasefire between the two nations.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
ABC News, 16 May 2026
Ukraine’s capital and other regions were pummeled overnight by hundreds of Russian drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles, the country’s air force said.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Consumers are flagging, pummeled by years of high prices and the sense that no one in power really cares.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The talks, brokered by the State Department, come as Israeli airstrikes have continued pummeling Lebanon despite a ceasefire between the two nations.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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The parallels between Ines’ dilemma and that of a nation being asked to lick its wounds in silence — in the name of moving on from past miseries — are present but elusive.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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At one point A’zion licks the digitally de-aged Mick Jagger’s face.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Talley allegedly was able to hide a gun up until a CT scan was about to be performed.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
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If water has been invading for years, mold or rot could be hiding under the wall or floor.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Ukraine has been pounding Russian oil facilities in an effort to deny Moscow funding for its invasion.—
Dan Bashakov,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
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Rain pounds down in a stinging curtain.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Ephemera is so often illustrative of the inner life of a character, a direct, beating correlative of the contents of their hearts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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The race in San Diego County has unnerved other Democrats, who saw Issa as easier to beat than a fresh GOP candidate — but aren’t always sure what to think about Campar-Najjar.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
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When the war began, a cornered Iran lashed out by attacking its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a 45-year-old coalition of energy-rich Arab monarchies including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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Harris also shows us the burn scars that ripple up Racine’s arm and across Anaia’s face, textured skin that makes strangers blanch, to which Racine lashes out defensively.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In baseball news, Screencaps the III got his very first legitimate hit of the season by lacing one over the second baseman's head last night with winds whipping 20-25 mph off Lake Erie.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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When Djena neglected to do a chore, Denise would use a belt or a power cord to whip Djena, leaving her covered in bruises.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Those incidents follow a disturbing wave of fans pelting performers with objects — from phones that injured Bebe Rexha to aggressive encounters with Billie Eilish — raising alarms about onstage safety.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Friduss recalled marble-sized hail pelting the boat just before, after a discussion with some other men on the boat, Pickles made a decision to again try to steer for Homewood Marina.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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First baseman Ashley Griffin slapped an RBI single into center field, scoring catcher Beth Damon, extending the lead to 5-1 and ending Braswell’s day.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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Firstman all but preemptively slapped an A24 logo on Club Kid, which doesn’t have distribution yet as of this writing, but his film really would fit into their stable of commercially friendly art flicks, down to its gooey heart.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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