as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pummel
Barkley pummeled the Rams for 205 yards rushing last week and now faces a subpar Comms’ run D that been beaten up for 151 ground yards per game in the postseason.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Less than a month later, Hurricane Maria—a second Category 5 storm—returned to Puerto Rico while pummeling Martinique and Dominica.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
That was the day the Chiefs clawed their way back from a 24-0 deficit and kept rolling on to pummel the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game by a final score of 51-31.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
Cook scorched the Broncos for 120 yards on the ground during wild-card weekend, while Mixon rambled for 106 yards and a score to help the Texans pummel Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pummel 
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
Less than a month later, Hurricane Maria—a second Category 5 storm—returned to Puerto Rico while pummeling Martinique and Dominica.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
That was the day the Chiefs clawed their way back from a 24-0 deficit and kept rolling on to pummel the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game by a final score of 51-31.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025
Cook scorched the Broncos for 120 yards on the ground during wild-card weekend, while Mixon rambled for 106 yards and a score to help the Texans pummel Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pummel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummel
Verb
-
Buffy loves to groom—in other words, lick—my hair, probably as an act of dominance, according to my vet.—
Elizabeth Denton,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Having another week off to lick wounds is pretty nice, too.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Peeking above aquamarine waves that hide the world's second-largest barrier reef, Belize's Ambergris Caye first emerged as a destination for the daring.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Given China's need to attract participants, there is a limit to what can be hidden from law enforcement and motivated analysts.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Rounds of brutal cold have pounded the eastern half of the US all winter.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
2 Feb. 2025
-
Northern California began being pounded by a series of storms Friday that are expected to bring considerable amounts of snow and rain for at least a week — a key boost to improve the state’s water outlook.—
Paul Rogers,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Dallas beat the Eagles by 20 points the next week and the losses — and finger pointing — snowballed from there.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Comcast closed 2024 with a strong quarter, handily beating Wall Street estimates, but its shares slumped due to declines in its broadband business.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Cats hide pain well, Koski said, but perhaps their owners have noticed them biting or lashing out.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Here's what to know about Noem: Marco Rubio to visit Central America:Secretary of State to visit Panama after Donald Trump lashes out at country Where was Kristi Noem born?—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The fire burned for five days in an isolated part of Great Smoky Mountains National Park before high winds whipped it up and swept it toward Gatlinburg.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The England midfielder had a shot of his own after bursting forward from midfield before whipping a free kick to Havertz, who headed over.—
Art de Roché,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Heavy rain pelted parts of Los Angeles County early Monday morning, causing a flash flood advisory to be issued over a wide swath of the region after midnight.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Get a sled and hit the park, make snow angels and pelt each other with snowballs…roll up a snowman too.—
Erin Reimel,
Glamour,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Newsom greeted Trump with a handshake, and the president slapped him on the back.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
25 Jan. 2025
-
As the fight inched closer, the duo’s tension reached a fever pitch on Nov. 14 when Tyson slapped Paul in the face during the weigh-in for the event that was streamed by millions.—
Danielle Jennings,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pummel
Cite this Entry
“Pummel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummel. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share