pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpə-məl 

pummeled also pummelled; pummeling also pummelling ˈpə-mə-liŋ 

ˈpəm-liŋ

: pound, beat

Synonyms

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup
• work over

Examples of pummel in a Sentence

pummeled the mugger with her fists until help arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

In the first half of last night’s contest, when the Rockets were getting pummeled, falling behind by as much as 30 points, that league leading net rating was not hard to believe, even with Steph Curry sidelined. —Rahat Huq, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

In the days preceding the World Series, we were pummeled with references to the rivalry between the Dodgers and New York Yankees. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Meanwhile, a significant portion of Asheville's water system has come back online, but the water is still not safe to drink and areas pummeled by landslides remain without water altogether – frustrating residents. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

Seeing that the gun wasn't working, the manager then pummeled Curtis with the handle of the gun. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pommel

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pummel

verb

pum·​mel ˈpəm-əl 

pummeled or pummelled; pummeling or pummelling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: pound entry 3 sense 2a, beat

knead and pummel the dough

2

: to defeat decisively

pummeled the competition