variants
also pummelling
as in thumping
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
also pummelling
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pummeling
Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
-
Latin trap, which draws both its name and its sound from the thumping-and-ticking hip-hop of the American South, is slower and woozier, and in some ways more flexible.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Moments of romantic play give way to flashes of authoritarian force, broken up by thumping EDM.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Luka was placed on heavy sedation, but even that wasn't enough to stop his heavy thrashing.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Barcelona’s thrashing of Alhama was the match with the most interventions (12) and the only game in which there were no challenges was Athletic Club’s goalless draw with CD Tenerife.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One end of the spectrum are stress fracture, which are very small, often described as hairline fractures that result from repetitive force and pounding to the bone over time.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
It’s typed with such pounding despair and fury that certain letters of the alphabet actually tear through the paper (this was an old, manual typewriter).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leeds’ 1-0 win against Everton at Elland Road was followed by a 5-0 hammering at the Emirates and a stalemate against Newcastle.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That could look like gliding your fingers down them, kissing, licking, or gently biting those areas.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In the video, the sound of Bambi's stomping, licking, meowing and general everyday life has delighted viewers.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boaters were the last to be warned to watch the sky as a line of wind-whipping storms pushed out to sea.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Golden State usually opens games whipping the ball around and making teams uncomfortable with its aggressive style of defense.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yes, that’s Lane Kiffin adapting by becoming a basketball goal (while also adapting by beating Arkansas 41-35 with Division II Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss stepping in for Austin Simmons at QB).—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Both sides have also carried out arbitrary detentions, with SAF interrogating and beating dozens of Christians in 2024 and 2025.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The arrest came nearly eight years after the FBI raided Sovereign and related properties with armed agents and a battering ram.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The soundtrack to the teams’ handshakes took an absolute battering from the supporters inside the ground.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pummeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummeling. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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