variants
also pummelling
as in thumping
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
variants
also pummelling
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 pummeling
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The sort that legend says compelled Pepper Rodgers in 1969 to flash Dan Devine a peace sign late in a 69-21 pummeling by Mizzou … and for Devine to flash half of one back.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Momoa, who leads Kamehameha’s forces from the front, had to balance spearing and pummelling his way through Keōua’s army on camera with coordinating other units following other characters through the bloody scrum.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2025
According to new data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shocks caused by tariffs are pummeling Southeast and East Asia with ferocity, rivaled narrowly in impact by South Asia and the Pacific.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
Propelled by one of guitarist Wes Borland’s hypnotic riffs, crunching beats, old-school record scratches and the group’s signature shouty choruses, the whole thing comes crashing to a close with a pummeling final chorus that finally nods to the country star in the title.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Yet to concede in their two games, Ronald Koeman’s Oranje are high on confidence after beating current group leaders Finland (played four) and pummeling Malta 8-0 in June.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers showed their dominance over Colorado on Tuesday by pummeling Austin Gomber.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
On the negative side, the Chiefs have benefited from open-air conditions, memorably pummeling the Miami Dolphins, 26-7, in fourth-coldest game in NFL history, as temperatures reached minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit with a windchill of minus-27.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Team Europe will look to continue its dominance over Team USA after the pummeling in Rome in 2023.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
The sort that legend says compelled Pepper Rodgers in 1969 to flash Dan Devine a peace sign late in a 69-21 pummeling by Mizzou … and for Devine to flash half of one back.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
But the trip is going to be an extreme test of fortitude, fate, and faith, evidenced by Lionsgate's preview revealing obstacles including a hellish radiation storm, monster waves, meteors pummeling the Earth, and lethal bands of desperate survivors prowling the continent.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Momoa, who leads Kamehameha’s forces from the front, had to balance spearing and pummelling his way through Keōua’s army on camera with coordinating other units following other characters through the bloody scrum.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2025
According to new data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shocks caused by tariffs are pummeling Southeast and East Asia with ferocity, rivaled narrowly in impact by South Asia and the Pacific.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025
Propelled by one of guitarist Wes Borland’s hypnotic riffs, crunching beats, old-school record scratches and the group’s signature shouty choruses, the whole thing comes crashing to a close with a pummeling final chorus that finally nods to the country star in the title.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Yet to concede in their two games, Ronald Koeman’s Oranje are high on confidence after beating current group leaders Finland (played four) and pummeling Malta 8-0 in June.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers showed their dominance over Colorado on Tuesday by pummeling Austin Gomber.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
On the negative side, the Chiefs have benefited from open-air conditions, memorably pummeling the Miami Dolphins, 26-7, in fourth-coldest game in NFL history, as temperatures reached minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit with a windchill of minus-27.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummeling
Verb
-
Paredones laid down thumping cumbia bass lines as Adolfo Mercado, often compared to Animal of The Muppets, wailed on the drums.—
Ivan Kashinsky,
NPR,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The strange clip, released on the actor’s social media pages, is set to a thumping electronic score that samples Jason Mewes’ monologue from the 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But the Bears rebounded with encouraging victories — a home thrashing of the Cowboys followed by a character-building come-from-behind magic act in Las Vegas.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The squeals, heavy breathing, and tail thrashing of the headline attraction, the ominous pitter-patter of a chestburster scuttling across the floor, and the characteristic crunch of a chestburster smashing through an unfortunate ribcage are all integral to the extra-terrestrial horror.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Here, a shopping mall serves as a safe haven from the undead pounding on the doors outside.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The service itself pulsed with sound with horns blaring, drums pounding and voices rising in song.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The 4-0 hammering in France has seen Ajax’s chance of elimination before the knockout stage rise to 85 per cent.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
There and at Jebel Misma, the team found stone-hammering tools left behind by the artists in layers of sediment dating back 12,000 years.—
Martin J. Kernan,
Scientific American,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Elizabeth and Dominic's 95 guests burst into laughter as the dog jumped into the fountain and began walking around, licking up water.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Charlotte has the right process, but the Hornets are also licking their wounds a bit from a couple of 2024 offseason moves that didn’t quite work out.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2025, for all the play’s bickering and bashing, the eventual trajectory of Art feels almost saccharine.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While summer may be over, nothing is stopping you from whipping this thing out for the holiday season.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The wind was whipping this past week at McGrath Stadium, mist in the air.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Oh, 6-0 Georgia Tech’s right on the cusp of the bracket (after beating 2-5 Virginia Tech 35-20)?—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
With a make on the second, Duke won by five, miraculously beating the spread of 4 1/2, per Andrew’s telling.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pummeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummeling. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share