as in licks
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
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Recent Examples of pummels
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
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
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Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even that comparison hides a lot of pain headed for retirees under current law, Smetters said.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This information is conveyed by a hilariously avant-garde Poulter, playing the store’s manager, who dyes his hair to match each monochromatic scheme and hides his nefariousness behind a company policy that requires techno music to be played at maximum volume at all times.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Benbrook whips Diamond Hill-Jarvis Benbrook stayed on pace for a playoff berth in District 8-4A as the Lady Bobcats thumped Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis 55-7.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lowend pioneer Munch Lauren once told me that the reason Milwaukee beats sound like that—like the Energizer Bunny strapped to the drums, just a few ticks off from New Orleans bounce—is because folks would literally dance to bounce tracks in the clubs in the early 2010s.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Follow along for highlights as Texas beats Baylor at McCombs Field.—
Zoe Collins Rath,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Think Nvidia’s new feature that slaps an AI filter onto your favorite games looks like garbage?—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Nahill is even featured in a video, indulgently attempting to snack on a donut, before Tyson, now a de facto spokesperson for HHS’ healthy foods initiatives, slaps it out of his hand.—
Chelsea Cirruzzo,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kinda knocks your to-do list down a few pegs, no?—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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In the event Borges knocks it out of the park and a high-profile team in Europe comes calling for him, Sporting KC may convert 95% of the sale proceeds into GAM; that would held KC continue strengthening its roster.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the first season, Ronald meets James Marsden and immediately slams one of his films.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
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One month into the partial government shutdown, hundreds of Transportation Security Administration workers going without full pay have quit, while others have taken unscheduled time off, prompting more travel headaches as a winter storm slams the Midwest and spring break travelers try to fly.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pummels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummels. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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