pummeled

verb

variants also pummelled
past tense of pummel
as in pounded
to strike repeatedly pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pummeled The frenzied bear pummeled him repeatedly but couldn’t roll him because the pack was caught in the bushes. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 Adobe is tapping a new CEO as the company's stock has been pummeled due to investor concerns that artificial intelligence will disrupt software makers. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026 On the final play before halftime, Trayanum suffered a neck injury after Giants linebacker Trace Ford pummeled him. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 Itauma's corner threw in the towel as he was being pummelled against the ropes, making the 34-year-old Hrgovic the first Croatian heavyweight champion. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Storms as strong as the ones that pummeled the area look to be a regular feature of summertime in these parts. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Destructive tornadoes and drenching storms pummeled the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including two waterspouts that came ashore in the New York City area. — Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Franks reached the goal line, leapt in the air, trapped the pass to his chest and got pummeled by the Jaguars linebacker in coverage — he was crushed to the point his helmet flew off in the melee. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 It's been nearly a week since heavy rains from a likely derecho pummeled the Midwest and displaced roughly 1,000 people across Indiana. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummeled
  1. pounded
  2. licked
  3. lashed
  4. whipped
  5. battered
  6. pelted
  7. attacked
  8. knocked
Verb
  • Russia pounded Kyiv for more than 12 hours in a sixth straight night of attacks, killing at least 12 people including six railway workers and an Indian citizen, and devastating civilian districts.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Floods of ‘destructive force’ blast through the canyon As the rain pounded the canyon Saturday, park officials received an alert from the National Weather Service warning of flash flooding in the area.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pounded
Verb
  • Tuxedo kitten Paolina bounced onto my chest and licked my fingers.
    — Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Her entire face got licked clean off her head when suburban floodwaters breached the cardboard hull protecting Kath’s basement memorabilia stack a few months before I was born.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of licked
Verb
  • Last month, Trump lashed out on coverage of poll results, which have been sagging in the 30s as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Outside a fierce storm lashed down, wind whipped against the wood planks, thunder shook the ground, water streamed through cracks and floated into the shack.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lashed
Verb
  • While holding Gnocchi, a large street cleaning truck whipped down the street and startled him into clawing away.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Cheese foam is a smooth and slightly salty whipped foam topping popular in boba drinks.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of whipped
Verb
  • Kevin Fujii / Honolulu Civil Beat via AP Other islands were also battered, including Oahu, where maximum wind gusts topped 50 mph.
    — Liz Kreutz, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The wealthy city’s economy was also battered by a financial crisis that swept across Asia.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of battered
Verb
  • Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell pelted Hawaii's western islands early Tuesday, knocking out power, damaging roads and buildings and bringing the threat of flash floods and mudslides.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Being pelted on the world’s stage with the modern equivalent of rotten tomatoes – memes and scathing online posts – hasn't kept the dancer, born Rachael Gunn, from laughing.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pelted
Verb
  • For example, ExploitGym, a cybersecurity benchmark that was at the center of the July incident in which OpenAI’s models went rogue and attacked the company Hugging Face, was created in 2026.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In the wake of Thursday’s ruling, a chorus of Missouri Republicans have attacked the court over its decision.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of attacked
Verb
  • But as soon as Barca knocked at his door, Gordon’s mind was made up.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Nearing the 40th floor, the tower moved and knocked them off their feet due to the shockwave of the South tower being struck.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of knocked

Browse Nearby Words

pummel
pummeled
pummeling
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Cite this Entry

“Pummeled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummeled. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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