as in licks
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of pummels
Russia pummels Ukraine almost nightly with Shahed long-range attack drones — originally from Iran.
—
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
As rain pummels the region, rivers, creeks and streams could rise and overflow, and flooding is possible in some urban areas.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Millions of people are facing a flood risk on Friday as an atmospheric river pummels Southern California with torrential rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
On a crowded street, Morejón strides up to the man and pummels him to the ground.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Israel pummels Gaza by cosplaying at self defense.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Russia pummels Ukraine overnight as peace talks stall Russia hammered Ukraine with 526 drones overnight, a further escalation of Moscow’s aerial assault.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Some brief thoughts on the ubiquitous popstar’s latest album, which is cheeky, provocative, and absolutely pummels you with hooks.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
As rain pummels the region, rivers, creeks and streams could rise and overflow, and flooding is possible in some urban areas.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
Millions of people are facing a flood risk on Friday as an atmospheric river pummels Southern California with torrential rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
On a crowded street, Morejón strides up to the man and pummels him to the ground.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Israel pummels Gaza by cosplaying at self defense.
—James Folta
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Russia pummels Ukraine overnight as peace talks stall Russia hammered Ukraine with 526 drones overnight, a further escalation of Moscow’s aerial assault.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Some brief thoughts on the ubiquitous popstar’s latest album, which is cheeky, provocative, and absolutely pummels you with hooks.
—Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummels
Verb
-
While Deborah licks her wounds from bombing very, very hard, the Frank interview plays.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Creative desserts were added in late 2025, like a matcha-and-fig leaf gateaux served with green apple sorbet, and blood orange-and-yuza espuma, a fluffy citrus confection that hides a surprise of chocolate olive oil pieces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irons pounds the drums like Bam-Bam smashing on two garbage-can lids.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Macron said France is expending diplomatic capital to ensure a return to calm and to allow for the Lebanese armed forces to assert themselves as Israel pounds Hezbollah positions.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Those of us who love her were able to finally take a breather on this one when the film bros eventually shut up and were able to admit that Hathaway totally whips ass in this franchise closer.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If Sunny Hills wins both of its games and Sonora beats Esperanza twice next week, there would be a three-way tie for the league title.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
-
The Lighter, Fluffier Rival Plenty of locals and visitors will tell you Cafe Beignet actually beats the icon.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Anderson slaps his hit down the right field line, just fair.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures will be near 81 degrees on Monday, and then turn cooler on Tuesday through Thursday after a cold front knocks them back into the mid- to upper 60s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes knocks the flavor profile out of the park.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In other words, automatic registration slams the courthouse door on women, but not on men, because registration is its own injury.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In the standard picture, particles gain energy at a termination shock, where the pulsar wind slams into surrounding material.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummels. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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