as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummel
Jonathan Raa | Nurphoto | Getty Images Bitcoin is getting pummeled to kick off June as the market loses its dominant narrative and liquidity continues to rotate into other assets.
—
Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Argan-scented toiletries in bathrooms are a lovely treat in the glass showers, which pummel bathers with excellent water pressure.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Bathroom bans, health care restrictions and other state measures pummeled Florida while Texas slipped because of anti-trans legislation.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 June 2026
As in no playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons — a team that pummeled the Knicks in their three-game regular-season sweep — courtesy of the Cavaliers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Argan-scented toiletries in bathrooms are a lovely treat in the glass showers, which pummel bathers with excellent water pressure.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Bathroom bans, health care restrictions and other state measures pummeled Florida while Texas slipped because of anti-trans legislation.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 June 2026
As in no playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons — a team that pummeled the Knicks in their three-game regular-season sweep — courtesy of the Cavaliers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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When the tiffin is returned licked clean, Ila sends another meal but with a note, leading to a rich correspondence between the two.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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Just outside the room, Hadley eagerly licked it up.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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But only the girls got a look and a kiss with him, while competing men didn't know who was hiding in the back.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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The Last Act delves deep into Jax (Michael Kovach), revealing that the bunny has been hiding his true self the entire time.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The Israeli military early Thursday pounded Lebanon’s fourth largest city, killing at least 14 people across the south of the country in its ongoing military escalation against the Hezbollah group ahead of crucial talks in Washington.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Fighter jets roared overhead, and air strikes pounded the surrounding hillsides, sending up thick plumes of acrid smoke.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Matt Olson’s solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference Tuesday as the Braves beat the visiting Blue Jays 4-3 at Truist Park, beginning the three-game series with their 15th series-opening victory of the season.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The archipelago is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Putin, under pressure, lashing out with increasingly heavy attacks on Ukraine, many hitting civilian sites.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The wind whipped her face and her little legs stretched higher and higher, pulling her into orbit.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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Last month, as a steady, pre-rainy season wind whipped off the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds of samba, morna and jazz filled the streets.—
Ricci Shryock,
NPR,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Police were pelted with chairs, cans, rocks and flares late Tuesday by some of the hundreds who attended a protest in the southern English coast city of Southampton, where Henry Nowak was killed in December.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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Photos published on Sunday, May 31, show the happy couple in their wedding finery, leaving Old Marylebone Town Hall hand in hand a day earlier and being pelted with confetti.—
Kim Willis,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called a third strike, but Madrigal argued with the umpire, emphatically slapping his head.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
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Rojas slapped a single up the middle to put the Royals ahead.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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