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
Pinnock said some areas of the island that suffered widespread damage from Melissa were still recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 hurricane storm that pummeled the island in July 2024.
—
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa pummelled Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, and thousands of people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
In Minnesota’s first full game since losing the guard to a hamstring strain, the Wolves pummeled Denver for 65 first-half points Monday night at Target Center — good for an eight-point halftime lead.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Some moments he was transfixed by Sendak’s illustrations, particularly one of a rabbit, under one of Jack’s spells, pummeling the nameless dog; at others by the nature of Jack’s transformation.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2025
Hurricane Melissa pummelled Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, and thousands of people were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
In Minnesota’s first full game since losing the guard to a hamstring strain, the Wolves pummeled Denver for 65 first-half points Monday night at Target Center — good for an eight-point halftime lead.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Some moments he was transfixed by Sendak’s illustrations, particularly one of a rabbit, under one of Jack’s spells, pummeling the nameless dog; at others by the nature of Jack’s transformation.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
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The sketch concluded with the librarian licking Moynihan's face with a forked tongue and then unbuttoning her blouse — causing all of the boys' heads to explode.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the jury in the federal civil lawsuit found that Moore violated Gillispie's rights by hiding evidence that would have helped Gillispie's defense and creating unfair lineup procedures for the victims.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Walpole got on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the end zone on third-and-goal from the one.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Without its dynamic starting quarterback, the Cougars were outpaced by visiting Inglewood, which pounded the rock in a 40-16 victory on Friday at Saddleback College.—
Zach Cavanagh,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The discussion came as Robinhood posted third quarter results that beat analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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That figure, which is provided by payrolls processing company ADP, beat the Dow Jones consensus estimate for an increase of 22,000.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Despite his mediator role, Rodríguez is also known for his explosive temperament, lashing out in Congress and publicly threatening and insulting members of the opposition.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Jan. 2026
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Trump spent most of 2025 downplaying the significance of the files, at times lashing out against Republicans who demanded the release of information about other potential perpetrators.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There were some frightening moments early Monday for a Miramar man after police say he was pistol whipped during a home invasion and his French bulldog was stolen.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Or whips around his defender in a bold pirouette.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The difference now versus in past years isn’t just in the scale but the sophistication of threats pelted at companies and executives, said Matt Dumpert, a managing director who leads Kroll’s enterprise security risk practice.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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First Amendment groups have accused federal authorities of carrying out excessive tactics, including pelting protesters and the media with tear gas and pepper balls.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Five players were booked during their defeat to Cameroon, including Foster, who slapped the linesman’s hand twice and screamed in his face in frustration over a decision.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Mimicking what happened seven years earlier after the Dallas playoff win in Charlotte, the players ran back outside and took a lap around the stadium, slapping hands with delirious home fans.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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