as in licks
to strike repeatedly
pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pummels
Debris pummels Rodney Stover’s back, buckling him to his knees.
—
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Russia pummels Ukraine almost nightly with Shahed long-range attack drones — originally from Iran.
—
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Ruben, a charming but terrifyingly angry juvenile delinquent, pummels timid, bookish Niall’s bullies.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 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
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Russia pummels Ukraine almost nightly with Shahed long-range attack drones — originally from Iran.
—
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Ruben, a charming but terrifyingly angry juvenile delinquent, pummels timid, bookish Niall’s bullies.
—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pummels
Verb
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Food stands also debuted that year, with ribs sizzling along with the blues licks.
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At one point in a dinner scene, Shields' Erika licks Joey's fingers.
Verb
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Below the dash, the center console is simplified with a small panel of control buttons, a wireless phone charge pad, cup holders and an arm rest that hides a bit of storage space.
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Other supplements come in gelatin capsules, made from collagen derived from cow and pig bones and hides, or mixed with dairy binders such as lactose and sodium caseinate.
Verb
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Back from a hamstring injury, Teoscar Hernández rejoins a relentless Dodgers offense that pounds 17 hits and three homers in a 9-4 win over the Athletics.
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Teams go bonkers when the player pounds their school name on the bracket.
Verb
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As Rice whips the ball in with bend and power, keep an eye on England’s blockers in the clip below.
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The vessel bends, blocks, and whips the wind into complex micro-currents before the air ever hits the sails.
Verb
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Fresh salsa always beats jarred, but this fruity version has an unusual twist.
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Of course, that still beats waiting for Windows 11’s big yearly update in the fall.
Verb
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Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.
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That direct relationship is what separates a true farm to table operation from a restaurant that simply slaps the phrase on a marketing page.
Verb
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From conveyor belts and baggage carts to overhead bins and taxi trunks, luggage is constantly subjected to bumps, knocks and rough handling.
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This knocks Europe out in a single shot.
Verb
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Taylor Sheridan slams critics Sheridan's series are all hits with regular people, but he's routinely been a target for critics.
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His hand fans out into a wave, then the door slams shut.
Cite this Entry
“Pummels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pummels. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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